Nordic and Baltic Foreign Ministers Speak Out on Georgia’s Election Crisis
The foreign ministers of eight Nordic and Baltic countries have spoken out about the crisis in Georgia following its October 26 parliamentary elections. In a joint statement, they called for an investigation into irregularities surrounding the vote.
The ministers condemned violence against peaceful protesters, politicians, and journalists, as well as threats made against President Salome Zurabishvili. They expressed concern that Georgia is becoming increasingly polarized and in crisis.
The ministers emphasized that Georgia urgently needs a solution to its problems and for people to trust its democratic institutions again. They urged the Georgian authorities to take immediate steps, including implementing recommendations from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) about the elections.
Georgia’s neighbors are worried about the country’s future. The Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8) group includes Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden. They want to help Georgia find a way out of its crisis.
The NB8 statement mentioned that Georgia needs to do more to follow OSCE recommendations, which include considering new elections based on these guidelines. The ministers hope this will restore trust in the country’s democratic institutions.
This is not the first time concerns have been raised about Georgia’s elections and government. Many organizations have spoken out against violence and intimidation during the October 26 vote.
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