the president calls for a new vote after contested legislative elections

Georgian President Salomé Zourabichvili, in conflict with the government, called on Monday for new legislative elections to be held after the victory in October of the ruling Georgian Dream party, denounced as fraudulent by the opposition. The pro-Western opposition in this Caucasian country refused to recognize the result of these legislative elections which ended with the victory of the Georgian Dream, accused of authoritarian and pro-Russian drift by its detractors.

The Georgian president, who has limited powers and influence in the country, denounced during a press conference a “election controlled and manipulated by a single party”in reference to the Georgian Dream. “Today we are faced with a crisis”she assured, affirming that it was necessary to organize “new elections so that Georgia can have a legitimate Parliament, a legitimate government”.

EU pressure

Salomé Zourabichvili, who accuses Russia of electoral interference, revealed that a group of MPs from eight European countries, including France and Germany, are in Georgia to help with the “search for ways to get out of this crisis”. The President of Parliament, Chalva Papouashvili, refused to meet this delegation. The European Union, which Georgia aims to join, has put pressure on the government of this country since the legislative elections of October 26. On Friday, the President of the European Council Charles Michel assured that“there are serious suspicions of fraud, which require a serious investigation”.

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Tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Tbilisi to protest against alleged electoral fraud. The ruling party, for its part, insists that the vote was free and fair and that EU membership remains “absolute priority” of his government.