We wish to express our concern regarding the recent developments in the country following the initial findings on Georgia's parliamentary elections that were recently shared by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), which noted “pressure, intimidation and threats” faced by voters and “democratic backsliding.”
We expect the Georgian authorities to investigate the irregularities observed before and during the vote and to implement the recommendations made by the OSCE and the Council of Europe's European Commission for Democracy through Law, known as the Venice Commission.
Fundamental freedoms, political pluralism and civil society must be respected and protected so that Georgia can bolster its European anchoring.