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International partners congratulate the first female president-elect of Georgia with the victory

December 11, 2018
 
Lana Giorgidze

The international observation mission evaluated the 2018 Presidential Elections of Georgia. 

“The second round of Georgia’s presidential election was competitive and candidates were able to campaign freely, however one side enjoyed an undue advantage and the negative character of the campaign on both sides undermined the process. Elections were well administered; yet, the lack of regulation of key aspects of the second round did not provide legal certainty. The campaign was marred by harsh rhetoric. Increased misuse of administrative resources further blurred the line between party and state. Private media continued to demonstrate sharp polarization and clear bias, while the public broadcaster did not ensure editorial independence and impartiality. 

On election day, voters actively took part and the process was assessed positively, although the observed tracking of voters reinforced concerns about potential intimidation,” the preliminary report of the international election observation mission reads. 

The member of the European Parliament Anna Fotyga expressed concerns about the conducted Presidential Elections in Georgia. 

”I am deeply worried about the circumstances related to the recent presidential elections in Georgia.  I share the assessments of the International Election Observation Mission and National Democratic Institute, including frequent misuse of administrative resources, attempted vote buying and manipulated vote counting. Throughout the past years, I have personally monitored elections in Georgia, including the first round of the recent presidential elections, where certain breaches were noticeable. However, this time, such fissures were highly amplified and the overall situation has deteriorated, which may have discouraged fair conditions of competition for all parties, and blurred lines between party and the state,” the statement of the MEP reads.

The election day proceeded in a largely orderly and calm manner, with several grave violations; the pre-election environment was polarized and built on fear through the violence and intimidation incidents, the election monitoring report of the NDI about the second round of the presidential elections reads. 

“Democratic governance is Georgia’s most precious asset. It has set the country apart from its authoritarian neighbors and made possible the prospects for European and Euro-Atlantic integration. Squandering this asset would have immeasurable costs. It will be critical that Georgia not allow the conduct of this election campaign to define the country’s political life going forward. The period ahead of the runoff was marked by incidents of violence, reports of intimidation, and other practices that violated the spirit, and arguably the letter, of election laws. Campaign rhetoric grew even more aggressive and hostile between the two rounds, with messages of fear and threats of instability. The election lacked constructive debate on ideas, values, or visions for the presidency. There were accusations about alleged bribery of voters and use of administrative resources,” the observers stated. 

Regardless several grave violations observed during the presidential elections and alleged facts of voters’ bribery, the representatives of the US and EU member state embassies congratulated the president-elect of Georgia with the victory.

The US government is looking forward to working with Georgian President-elect Salome Zurabishvili, Robert Palladino, deputy spokesperson of the US Department of State said yesterday.

He added that the US looks forward to continue close partnership with Georgia on a range of important bilateral and regional issues. 

“The United States looks forward to working with President-elect Salome Zurabishvili and continuing our close partnership with Georgia on a range of important bilateral and regional issues, including our robust security cooperation and Georgia’s contributions to NATO’s Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan,” the representative of the US State Department stated at the briefing in Washington. 

The US Embassy in Georgia congratulated the President-Elect with the victory. The statement of the Embassy reads that the presidential runoff was competitive and that the candidates were able to campaign freely. 

“The election is the milestone of the democracy and with it we welcome the assessment by the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission that Georgia’s presidential runoff was competitive and that candidates were able to campaign freely.  We also share the Mission’s concerns and those of other international and domestic observers about instances of misuse of state resources for partisan campaigning, among other issues.  These actions are not consistent with Georgia’s commitment to fully fair and transparent elections, and we urge Georgian authorities to address the shortcomings raised by OSCE/ODIHR and other observers.

The United States will continue to support strongly Georgia’s democratic and economic development, territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, and Western integration and will continue to work with Georgia in the area of electoral and democratic reform,” the statement of the US Embassy reads.

Salome Zurabishvili received congratulations from the President of the Federal Republic of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier. 
 
“Georgia made a democratic choice after tense election race. We cordially congratulate you with the victory. 
 
Historically, Germany and Georgia have been friendly cooperating. We are excited with the Georgian culture and strong desire to build European future. I am sure under your presidency Georgia will continue successful integration into the western structures. Germany will stay your trustworthy and good partner on this path,” the statement of the German President reads. 
 
Salome Zurabishvili received congratulations from the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko, the President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaitė and the Foreign Affairs Ministry of France. 
 
The President-Elect of Georgia Salome Zurabishvili said her first official visit abroad will be held in Europe. She mentioned several capitals, including Brussels, where headquarters of the EU and NATO are located. 
 
“I think nobody will get surprised if I make my first official visit in Europe, Brussels, Berlin and Paris; I will visit the Baltic state, whose female president was the first to congratulate me with the victory last night,” Salome Zurabishvili told journalists on November 29 during her meeting in the Georgian Orthodox Patriarchate. 

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