EU slams Georgia’s local elections as uncompetitive and repressive

“Months of raids on independent media, laws targeting civil society, imprisonment of opponents, and amendments to the electoral code favoring the ruling party have severely undermined the conditions for competitive elections,” the EU officials said.

The statement noted that much of the opposition boycotted the vote and turnout remained low. Georgian authorities also failed to invite international observers in time, including the OSCE/ODIHR mission, which the EU said compromised transparency and made proper international monitoring impossible.

The EU also highlighted mass protests against the repressive policies of the ruling Georgian Dream party and called for the release of all individuals detained unlawfully.

“We urge the Georgian authorities to safeguard citizens’ rights to freedom of assembly and expression,” the statement said.

Brussels also strongly rejected disinformation about the EU’s role in Georgia and denounced personal attacks on the EU ambassador in Tbilisi, calling them “unacceptable and dangerous for EU–Georgia relations.”

Election-day protest erupts into clashes

On Oct. 4, a major protest broke out in Tbilisi. One of its organizers, Paata Burchuladze, announced the creation of “National Assemblies” and declared that “power in this country is returning to the people.” Following his remarks, Murtaz Zodelava, leader of the United National Movement, urged demonstrators to march toward the presidential residence.

The crowd attempted to break through to the palace, sparking clashes with police. Security forces deployed water cannons and tear gas, while protesters hurled stones and set barricades on fire. According to the Interior Ministry, protest organizers were detained, and Burchuladze was later hospitalized.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze claimed the attempt by “external forces” to reshape the country’s political landscape through the United National Movement, Lelo, and For Georgia “has failed,” vowing the “total neutralization of the UNM.”