Parliament official: Georgia’s foreign policy path unchanged, no evidence of election fraud

Gia Volski, an MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party and the First Vice Speaker of the Parliament, on Sunday responded to the protest organised by eight opposition parties, stating that Georgia’s foreign policy path had not changed and that there was no evidence of electoral fraud.

In his remarks, Volski downplayed the significance of the demonstration, pointing out that despite major political and NGO support, the turnout remained low and argued that most Georgians support the current Government’s direction and would not be swayed by what he described as “anti-Georgian” rhetoric.

“When so many parties, so many non-governmental organisations, and such significant support from abroad are focused in this direction, of course, ‘every Khabeishvili’ [the Chair of the political council of the opposition United National Movement party] expected that many people would take to the streets. They didn’t. But those who did come out are our fellow citizens too. Naturally, some are driven by a certain idea that is purely anti-Georgian. There is a certain group of people who have been misled”, Volski said.

The official noted that the protesters rallied around these two claims - alleged election fraud and a shift in foreign policy - but argued that their numbers were limited.

“Georgia has not changed its foreign policy path in any way, and there is no evidence that the [2024 parliamentary] elections were rigged. These people are gathered around these two ideas. Naturally, they cannot be numerous, and the vast majority of society, which voted to save Georgia in October 2024, will not follow them”, he concluded.