Pia Kauer, the President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, has postponed her planned visit to Georgia originally scheduled for January 8-10. This decision, made public through Kauer's social media channels, came after significant discussions and pushback from opposition parties urging against the timing of the visit.
The postponement emphasizes the political turmoil gripping Georgia, as opposition groups have been vocally protesting against the recent parliamentary elections, which they claim were marred by widespread fraud. On January 5, three key opposition coalitions, including the Coalition for Change and the National Movement Unity, collectively appealed to Kauer to delay her visit until the ruling party, the Georgian Dream, commits to new elections and the release of detained protestors.
The joint letter emphasized concerns about the legitimacy of the current government, labeling it as self-proclaimed and asserting its sole agenda is to secure international recognition based on the disputed electoral outcomes. The letter stated, "The only aim of the self-proclaimed regime of the Georgian Dream is to achieve international recognition of the falsified elections of October 26, 2024."
Adding to the discourse, another opposition party leader, Giorgi Gakharia, warned on social media of potential dire consequences from Kauer's visit, stating it could undermine the struggle of the Georgian people for democracy and their European future. He stressed, "The visit of the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE to Tbilisi could have unforeseen consequences for the battle of the Georgian people for democracy."
International criticism of Kauer's visit also surfaced, with Latvian MEP Richard Koles calling it "destructive and untimely" and arguing it would legitimize the regime's propaganda. Another MEP, Rasa Yukneviciene, asserted the visit only served to endorse Georgian oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili's scheme for state capture.
This situation is underscored by continuous protests erupting across Georgia, sparked by public discontent over the election results. Opposition parties, including all significant coalitions, unanimously declared the parliamentary elections fraudulent and rejected the legitimacy of the newly formed parliament.
Salome Zourabichvili, the President of Georgia, who continues to be recognized as legitimate by the opposition, echoed these sentiments, announcing she intends to stay until new parliamentary elections are conducted. Zourabichvili declared her refusal to step down until the legitimacy of the parliament is restored, emphasizing, "I will remain as president until new parliamentary elections are conducted, allowing for lawful power transition."
The backdrop of this political conflict intensifies with the Georgian government's recent announcement to suspend EU accession talks until 2028, triggering fresh waves of protests as thousands demand the government honor constitutional commitments toward European integration.
Notably, Georgia has been experiencing extensive protests since the conclusion of the elections, with many citizens accusing the ruling party of not only rigging the vote but also of failing to protect human rights by targeting journalists and opposition members. Citizens have taken to the streets, demanding action against electoral fraud and calling for new elections.
Zourabichvili described Kauer's decision to postpone as "very sensible," expressing gratitude for her awareness of Georgia's democratic expectations and needs, highlighting the citizens' desire for support from the OSCE now more than ever. She stated, "We need the OSCE more than ever! And new elections!"
Despite the opposition's concerns and the setbacks they continue to face, these events reflect broader issues of democratic integrity and power dynamics within Georgia and illuminate the citizens' unwavering resolve to contest and rectify the political injustices currently at play.
Political tensions within Georgia play out against the backdrop of international scrutiny, with officials from various western nations expressing skepticism toward the legitimacy of the Georgian Dream's governance. The rightful representation of the Georgian populace remains at the forefront of both domestic protests and international diplomatic discussions as the opposition seeks to reclaim democratic foundations.