Georgian Government Urged to Hold Free and Fair Elections
The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe has called on the Georgian government to ensure free and fair repeat elections at the national level. This is according to a statement released by the Bureau.
The Georgian authorities have been asked to respect European standards in human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. The Bureau also wants the government to create an environment where local elections can take place without problems. Everyone should be allowed to exercise their democratic rights, including freedom of expression and assembly.
People who are being held for participating in protests against the government should be released. This includes politicians and journalists who have been detained. The Georgian government must change its position and start a genuine dialogue with the opposition.
The next local elections are due to take place in October, but they may not happen under the current conditions. Without a change in the political environment, it would be best to postpone those elections.
A democratic future for Georgia is possible if all political actors work together, including the ruling party and civil society. The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities stands ready to support this process.
There will be a debate about Georgia during the next Congress session on March 25-27, 2025.
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