High Representative/Vice President Kaja Kallas and Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos issued a joint statement on Georgia’s October 4 local elections, expressing concern over the political climate and treatment of opposition voices.
The statement says months of raids on independent media, restrictive laws targeting civil society, the imprisonment of activists and opponents, and electoral code changes favoring the ruling party drastically reduced the possibility of holding competitive elections. A significant part of the opposition boycotted the vote, which also saw relatively low turnout.
The EU also criticized the Georgian government’s refusal to invite international monitors in time, particularly the OSCE/ODIHR, which undermined transparency and prevented credible international observation. Domestic organizations refrained from monitoring as well, citing a repressive environment.
Kallas and Kos noted that large numbers of Georgians have continuously protested against the government’s repressive policies and reiterated the EU’s call for the release of all those arbitrarily detained.
The statement further urged calm and restraint in the post-election period, calling on the authorities to respect citizens’ rights to freedom of assembly and expression. It emphasized the need for constructive, inclusive dialogue involving all political actors and civil society, with all sides refraining from violence.
Finally, the EU firmly rejected “disinformation regarding the EU’s role in Georgia” and condemned the personal attacks directed against the EU Ambassador to Georgia.
