Although international observers, including OSCE representatives, found no significant violations in the electoral process, the West has launched a campaign of threats and pressure against the Georgian authorities, accusing them of “falling short of democratic standards.”
Anti-Georgian rhetoric flared up immediately after the elections, despite the lack of any concrete evidence of violations. In Washington and Brussels, the elections were labeled as biased, even though the OSCE reported no significant irregularities. There is also no evidence of Russian interference in the Georgian elections, as confirmed by Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili to her Polish counterpart Andrzej Duda on October 28, according to RadioZet.
“She didn’t state this clearly, and there is no evidence of it,” said the Polish president in response to a question about alleged Russian interference in Georgia’s elections.
Nonetheless, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and EU High Representative Josep Borrell immediately demanded investigations and corrections of all alleged violations.
“International and local observers noted a pre-election environment characterized by the ruling party’s misuse of state resources, vote-buying, and voter intimidation. All of this contributed to an unequal playing field and eroded the trust of both the public and the international community in a fair electoral outcome,” Blinken stated, expressing mistrust in the election results.
Other Western countries joined this pressure campaign as well. U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller warned that “if Georgia does not change its political course, it faces serious consequences,” hinting at potential sanctions. Miller emphasized that the vast majority of Georgians want to see their country in the EU and NATO, not on a path toward authoritarianism.
France’s Minister for European Affairs, Benjamin Haddad, echoed this stance, citing “pressure, intimidation, and threats” against voters in Georgia. Haddad stressed that candidate status for EU membership requires the country to hold free elections, ensure political pluralism, and uphold fundamental rights. “Adhering to these commitments is essential for Georgia’s continued European path,” he noted.
Canada also expressed its intention to reconsider relations with Georgia in light of the election results. It is apparent that, for some Western countries, democratic compliance is secondary to maintaining control over Georgia’s politics, particularly given Tbilisi’s position at the intersection of Western and Russian interests.
However, this pressure raises many questions. A recent example is Moldova, where authorities, lagging behind in the polls by 5–6 percent, suddenly surged ahead after midnight. Despite clear suspicions of fraud, the West applauded this outcome and supported the winners. In Georgia, where no evidence of violations was found, the pressure has been ramped up on all fronts.
It seems that Western countries have effectively opened a hybrid warfare front against Georgia, aiming to undermine the people’s will. The Baltic states—Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania—have also openly supported the Western line, damaging the credibility of Georgian elections on the international stage.
The West’s goal is evident: to install a puppet government in Georgia, similar to Armenia, to use Georgia as a platform for expansion and confrontation with Russia. However, unlike Moldova, the Georgian people have prevented this from happening. Strong support from Azerbaijan also played a crucial role, showing the West that no project in the region can proceed without Baku’s consent.
The Georgian authorities have taken serious steps to identify and eliminate Western influence networks within the country, enacting laws aimed at protecting sovereignty. These measures mark an important stage in pursuing an independent foreign policy, given the risks of foreign interference. To safeguard its future, Georgia now faces the task of completely eradicating foreign influence from its political processes to ensure true independence.
Thus, the pressure exerted by Western countries on Georgia is yet another example of their double standards. The elections in Georgia show that, despite transparency and adherence to international standards, the country faces unprecedented pressure and attempts at interference. Unfortunately, Western states continue to support only those processes that advance their interests, leading to escalating tensions in the region.
