Canada has decided to revise its relations with the Georgian government in light of the parliamentary elections held on October 26 and their results. This was stated in a release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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"As a friend, partner and longstanding supporter of Georgia, Canada notes the official results of the October 26, 2024, parliamentary election as announced by the country’s central election commission. However, Canada is concerned with widespread acts of voter intimidation, vote buying and other election day irregularities reported by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and other impartial observers. This must be investigated and addressed. Canada strongly believes that free, fair, and independent elections are the cornerstone of a democratic society.
In coordination with our G7 and European partners, and in light of the conduct and results of this election, Canada will reassess its relationship with the Georgian leadership. Canada remains open to cooperation with Georgia, as long as the Georgian leadership respects democracy, human rights, rule of law and addresses the recent democratic backsliding.
We call for calm by all parties and for the Georgian authorities to respect the rights and security of individuals in the context of peaceful protests. We commend Georgians for actively participating in the election process, including as voters, polling staff and citizen observers,” the statement released on October 28 states.
As per data from the Central Election Commission of Georgia, Georgian Dream received nearly 54% of the votes in the parliamentary elections. Opposition parties that crossed the threshold - Coalition for Change (11%), Unity - National Movement (10%), Strong Georgia (8.8%), and Gakharia For Georgia (7.7%) - do not recognize the legitimacy of this result. One of their main demands is for an international investigation. At a rally held on Rustaveli Avenue on October 28, opposition members reiterated their call for new elections to be conducted by the International Election Administration.
President Salome Zourabichvili also believes that the parliamentary elections were "totally falsified" and that a "Russian special operation" took place in Georgia. She called on the country's European and American partners to support the population.
"It was a total fraud, a complete theft of your votes, using all the methods we have seen in different countries, or even in this country, that can be used to falsify elections. Additionally, today's technology has been exploited to the extent that it has facilitated counterfeiting. There has never been anything like this before. We were witnesses and victims of a Russian special operation," the president stated.
The European Union has urged the Georgian authorities to conduct a swift, transparent, and independent investigation into the alleged election violations. As EU High Representative Josep Borrell stated, "This is a necessary step to restore confidence in the electoral process."
The United States has also joined the call for an investigation. According to State Department spokesman Matthew Miller, consultations are ongoing with European partners regarding the appropriate body to conduct such an investigation.
