Former Georgian Prime Minister Nika Gilauri has vehemently criticized the recent parliamentary elections in Georgia as influenced and orchestrated by Russia.
Protests have gripped Georgia following questionable election results favoring the Russian-affiliated Georgian Dream party, Fox News reported.
According to Gilauri, the November elections favored the Georgian Dream, securing approximately 54% of the vote under dubious circumstances with the opposition trailing at 38%. He described the electoral process as reminiscent of Russian-style manipulation, undermining both Georgia's democracy and its European aspirations.
Public dissent escalated after the government announced a suspension of moves towards European Union integration, which was set to last four years. On November 30, 2024, large protests erupted in the capital, Tbilisi, where participants prominently displayed EU flags in a direct challenge to governmental directives.
The former Prime Minister expressed concerns that the actions taken by Georgian authorities blatantly aligned with Russian interests, particularly highlighted by President Vladimir Putin's instant commendation of Georgia's shift away from European cooperation.
Amid widespread protests, over 460 demonstrators were forcibly detained by the Georgian police, facing harsh treatment and severe beatings since November 29, 2024. Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili, nearing the end of her term on December 29, 2024, declared the elections fraudulent and invalidated the subsequent parliament's legitimacy.
Reports by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) depicted an election environment fraught with voter intimidation and physical altercations, confirming suspicions of the illegitimacy of the voting process. In response to the Georgian government enacting a controversial pro-Kremlin foreign agents law, the United States imposed sanctions and suspended certain assists.
European Council President Charles Michel swiftly reacted, urging an investigation into the numerous irregularities observed during the conduct of the elections.
Solidarity among Georgian protesters and critical voices internationally suggests a significant pushback against the Russian influence purported by critics like Gilauri. He alleges that the electoral victory of the Georgian Dream was not only a tactical win for Putin but also a severe setback for Georgian democracy.
Nika Gilauri remarked during his interview on Fox News Digital:
The elections were rigged, and we have an illegitimate parliament right now. Putin was praising Georgia’s government on its standing against European pressure just within minutes of Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s announcement on stopping the European integration process of Georgia. It all looks very much orchestrated.
Amidst growing tensions, President Zourabichvili remains a central figure in the protests and has called for the arrangement of new elections before the end of her term. She declared the situation a critical juncture between moving towards or away from peaceful democratic practices and traditional Georgian values.
Salome Zourabichvili, considered by many as the remaining legitimate voice in Georgian politics, has become an emblematic figure for protesters who yearn for transparency and democratic governance. Her defiance and urgent calls for new elections reflect the deep divisions and the critical state of Georgia's politics.
As Georgia stands at a political and social crossroads, the actions taken in the coming weeks could determine its path toward either further democratic establishment or a reversion to influence under Russian dominion. The ongoing crisis raises important questions about the integrity of democratic processes in Georgia and the influence of external powers on its political landscape. As the international community watches closely, the demand for a fair resolution remains high, marking a pivotal moment in Georgia's pursuit of sovereign democracy and alignment with Western values.
