The chairmen of the foreign relations committees of eight EU countries supported the protests at the opposition rally in Tbilisi last Monday.
They came to the rally in front of the parliament and addressed the crowd.
MPs from Germany, Finland, Sweden, France, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland arrived in Tbilisi to discuss the past elections, reports of mass violations, the progress of investigations and the current situation. The ruling party called the visit biased and refused to meet with the MEPs.
Head of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the German Bundestag Michael Roth called Tbilisi “the real capital of Europe”. According to him, representatives of the Georgian Dream are not happy about the visit of European deputies. “We are not enemies, we are friends!” - he said.
The visit to Tbilisi is not an interference in the internal affairs of the country, Roth emphasized. Meetings with citizens who are fighting for fair elections cannot be considered as interference, he said.
“It is not about interference, but about a common future in a united Europe, and that is why we are here,” Roth said.
Michal Kaminski, spokesman for external relations and European Union affairs of Poland's parliament, said people have the right to demand fair elections.
“To those who want to steal your elections, to those who want to steal your votes and your freedom, we will repeat the words of Ukrainian soldiers: 'Russian warship...'Georgia will be free. Georgia will be in Europe. And let me say in conclusion: Misha Saakashvili must be free!”, - stated Kaminsky.
Žygimantas Pavilionis, head of the Lithuanian Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Relations, said that “someone wants to take away freedom and democracy and Georgia's potential EU membership from the Georgian people”. He emphasized that there is no so-called “Orban's path” to the EU and the path of the “Russian dream” that can lead Georgia to EU membership.
“Do not give up! Fight - for your freedom, for your democracy, fight for your country, fight for your country's membership in the EU and NATO! And remember that there is no “Orban's way” to the EU! There is no “Russian dream” path to the EU, there is a European path to the EU, there is an Estonian path, a Baltic path, a German path, a French path! And you have to be the best to get into Europe.So you have to have a plan, work to fulfill it because there is no such thing as gifted freedom! It must be conquered with the 24th job and we will always be on this path with you. You are Europe!”, Pavilionis declared.
The rally was held against the background of Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze's statement that Georgian Dream does not rule out measures against opposition parties in Georgia that do not recognize the results of the October 26 elections and go “against the constitutional order.” According to him, the ruling party will prepare a lawsuit to the Constitutional Court.
Parliamentary elections were held in Georgia on October 26. According to the CEC, the Georgian Dream, which has been in power for 12 years, won with 54%. Coalition for Change (11.1%), Unity - National Movement (9.8%), Strong Georgia (8.9%) and Gakharia - For Georgia (8.2%) also passed the threshold.
All four opposition parties did not recognize the elections, claiming massive violations. Together they are holding protests. Last Sunday, the civic initiative დაიტოვე/ daitove, one of the most active and largest social groups in the Georgian FB segment, called for taking to the streets.
The prosecutor's office has launched an investigation into the rigging of the parliamentary elections. The opposition says it does not trust the investigation. Opponents of the authorities believe that in reality it is not aimed at uncovering fraud schemes, but at saving the reputation of the election administration.
The ruling party insists that the elections were exemplary and it can only be a question of “individual shortcomings.”
Western partners have expressed concern and say they are waiting for an investigation into all electoral irregularities.
Reprinted from https://www.newsgeorgia.ge/
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