Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili has publicly refused to recognize the results of the country’s recent parliamentary elections, alleging Russian interference intended to strengthen its hold over Georgian affairs. In a statement posted on X, Zourabichvili declared, “As the last independent institution, I cannot recognise these elections—it would legitimise Russia’s takeover of Georgia. Our ancestors endured too much for us to surrender our European future.”
Preliminary results from the election show a victory for the ruling Georgian Dream party, which claimed 53.93 percent of the vote. Several opposition parties trailed with lower percentages, including the Coalition for Change with 11.03 percent, Unity-UNM at 10.16 percent, Strong Georgia at 8.81 percent, and Gakharia for Georgia at 7.77 percent.
Speaking from the Presidential Palace, Zourabichvili strongly condemned the election, characterizing it as “hybrid warfare” and part of a broader Russian agenda to influence Georgian politics.
In contrast, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze defended the election’s integrity, dismissing allegations of interference. “Irregularities happen everywhere,” Kobakhidze stated in an interview with the BBC. “The overall conduct of the elections adhered to democratic and legal standards.” He also pointed to the new electronic voting system, claiming it left no room for manipulation.
