President Zourabichvili calls for new elections to resolve Georgia’s ‘deep political crisis’

Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili has called for new elections as a democratic solution to the political turmoil following the country’s parliamentary elections. In a statement on X, Zourabichvili emphasized that “concrete action means new elections,” presenting them as the only viable path to resolve the deep crisis engulfing Georgia.

Her comments come in response to the final report by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on Georgia’s parliamentary elections. The report highlights significant concerns, including pressure on voters, lack of transparency, and the compromised independence of state institutions.

Opposition parties have rallied behind the President’s proposal, framing it as a necessary step to restore trust in Georgia’s democratic institutions.

Georgian PM, Irakli Kobakhidze, downplayed the concerns raised in the report, stating that the OSCE/ODIHR referred only to “isolated violent incidents.” He acknowledged the presence of “critical observations,” including on the secrecy of the vote, but did not elaborate on the report’s specific findings.