The Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs has expressed regret over the lack of a timely invitation that would have allowed the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) to conduct meaningful observation of Georgia’s upcoming local elections.
In a statement released by the Swedish Embassy in Tbilisi, the MFA warned that recent amendments to Georgia’s electoral legislation threaten election integrity, while repression against civil society and opposition forces continues. It called on Georgian authorities to take steps to restore public trust in democratic institutions, including by implementing OSCE electoral recommendations.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced on September 6 that the government had formally invited ODIHR to observe the October 4 elections. However, on September 9, ODIHR confirmed it would not deploy a mission, citing the late timing of the invitation, though it pledged to continue monitoring developments within its mandate.
