The files we follow: Armenia-Azerbaijan relations; Georgia between Russian influence and Western aspirations; Georgia/Abkhazia and South Ossetia conflict; South Caucasian energy, trade and transport issues; Human rights in the South Caucasus.
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European Commission report and reactions from the political class
On 31 October, Shalva Papuashvili, Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, welcomed the European Commission’s Enlargement Report, claiming that Georgia was making progress towards EU integration despite disagreements over certain laws, including those relating to foreign influence and family values. In response to allegations of electoral fraud, he defended the legitimacy of the elections, accusing the EU of “politicising the results” and emphasising the voters’ choice of Georgian Dream (GD).
The opposition, however, has criticised the GD for actions deemed contrary to European values. Nika Gvaramia (Ahali) and Tina Bokuchava (UNM) argue that the government, influenced by pro-Russian policies, is jeopardising Georgia’s European integration. Ana Natsvlishvili (Strong Georgia) calls for “international non-recognition of the elections“, while Teona Akubardia (For Georgia) stresses the “urgency of democratic reforms“.
Serious doubts about the official results
The 26 October parliamentary elections, in which GD led with 54.23% of the vote, sparked intense controversy. On 1 November, Edison Research cast doubt on the validity of the results, noting a 13-point gap between its exit polls (40.9% for GD) and the official result (54%).
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