Georgian Parliament official urges foreign diplomats to avoid actions undermining election fairness ahead of local elections

Levan Makhashvili, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament’s Committee on European Integration, on Thursday called on foreign diplomats in Georgia to refrain from any actions or decisions that could undermine the fairness of the upcoming local elections or the principle of equal political rights.

“We have had unfortunate and concerning experiences, including instances of diplomats becoming involved in pre-election processes”, he said, emphasising the sensitivity of the remaining pre-election period.

With just two months left before the municipal elections, Makhashvili noted that special rules were in effect and that this phase was the most delicate and important part of the entire electoral cycle.

“We are not simply expecting restraint - we are demanding that each of these individuals fully refrain from any steps or decisions that could erode the integrity of the elections or compromise the principle of equal participation”, the official concluded.

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Tuesday addressed the issue in a social media post, urging diplomats to respect Georgia’s sovereignty and the Vienna Convention.

“I call on diplomats to respect the Vienna Convention and the right of the people to make their choice without foreign interference. These elections will be a test - of who truly respects Georgian sovereignty, and who just respects khinkali”, Papuashvili wrote.