Congressmen Mike Turner and Gerry Connolly issue a joint statement on the parliamentary elections held in Georgia. The American politicians believe that the past vote ‘created serious problems for democratic processes and distances Georgia from joining NATO and the European Union.’
‘We are deeply concerned about the electoral environment created in Georgia, which was disrupted by vote-buying, intimidation, and abuse of administrative resources.
The 26 October elections provided Georgia with an invaluable opportunity to prove to the international community, NATO and the European Union that the state remains firmly committed to the Euro-Atlantic path.
Unfortunately, during the campaign, the Georgian Government failed to prove its commitment to the Euro-Atlantic path and peace, either through its rhetoric during the campaign, through which it blamed the West for Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, or through its legislation on ‘foreign agents’, which aims to eradicate civil society and lacks accountability for violent attacks on the opposition.
These elections, which have created serious problems for democratic processes, distance Georgia from joining NATO and the European Union.
Pressuring public sector employees to vote for the ruling party and refusing to investigate attacks on political opponents is authoritarian behaviour and a sharp departure from the democracy that Georgia once had.
After the 26 October elections, we must be clear: the United States of America and all NATO member states support the Georgian people and their Euro-Atlantic aspirations,’ the congressmen said in a statement.
