Pascal Allizard, Vice President of the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee of the French Senate and Special Coordinator for the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) observer mission, sent a letter to Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili on Monday, acknowledging both strengths and challenges in Georgia’s October parliamentary elections.
In the letter, Allizard commended the elections for offering voters a “wide array of choices” and for being “well-administered” in terms of “technical preparations.” He stated, “The elections provided voters with a broad range of choices and were well-administered in terms of technical preparation. While candidates were generally able to campaign freely, the campaign rhetoric was highly divisive and polarized.”
However, Allizard also highlighted some critical concerns raised by the preliminary findings of the observer mission. These included “voter pressure, financial imbalances creating an uneven playing field, the underrepresentation of women on party lists, and other challenges.”
Allizard emphasized that the final report from the observer mission would offer a “comprehensive analysis” and “specific recommendations” for electoral reforms and strengthening Georgia’s democratic institutions.
“I trust that the Georgian Government and Parliament will give due attention to the findings and recommendations, contributing substantively to the advancement of the national reform agenda and enhancing public confidence,” he said.
The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, he added, was “standing ready” to “engage and assist” Georgia in addressing these issues.
“Our collective aim is to support your country in its journey toward stronger democratic governance, the rule of law, and institution-building, while fostering an environment of inclusivity, transparency, and respect for fundamental freedoms. We look forward to witnessing Georgia’s continued progress in consolidating its democratic aspirations,” the letter concluded.
In response to the letter, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze stated on Monday that it was “further proof that the elections were recognized and conducted properly” and that “all speculation” regarding irregularities in the vote was “baseless.”
