Conflicts

The President of Georgia declared on Sunday that she does not recognize the results of the recent parliamentary elections and urged Georgians to protest by taking to the streets of Tbilisi on Monday.

Standing with opposition members, Salome Zourabichvili called on the Georgian people to rise up against what she described as "total fraud" and a "theft of your votes," accusing Russia of interference in the election.

"This election cannot be recognized, because it is the recognition of Russia’s intrusion here, Georgia’s subordination to Russia," she said.

Georgia, like Moldova a week prior, voted on its future bid for European Union membership, but the election results show the Russian-backed party leading.

The Georgian Dream party secured nearly 55% of the vote after the final tally. Over the past year, the party has implemented a series of laws resembling Russian policies, including those restricting freedom of expression.

The European Union has since suspended Georgia’s membership application after the country passed legislation aimed at limiting foreign media influence.

Meanwhile, Moldova narrowly voted in favor of joining the European Union in the near future two weeks ago. Incumbent President Maia Sandu received the most votes in the first round and will face the Russian-backed candidate in the runoff.

(QG - Source : Associated Press / Picture: © Unsplash)