Georgia's Pro-Western Parties Urged to Form Coalition
On January 23, Tina Bokuchava, the United National Movement faction chairwoman, emphasized the crucial role of pro-Western parties overcoming the 5% electoral threshold in Georgia's upcoming parliamentary elections. Bokuchava urged political leaders to prioritize the collective goal of forming a coalition government, encouraging them to be realistic about their electoral potential and make decisions regarding alliances accordingly. She stressed that the elections were of paramount importance, determining whether Georgia would continue under the influence of Russia's Ivanishvili or move towards a future characterized by victory, freedom, and European values.
Moreover, Levan Khabeishvili, the Chairman of the United National Movement, raised serious concerns about the legitimacy of the current chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC), referencing a report from the Venice Commission that questioned the chairman's legitimacy. Khabeishvili accused the CEC of being deeply entwined with the ruling party, Georgian Dream, and alleged that the electoral processes were under the influence of the State Security Service. Dismissing the ruling party's attempts to shift focus to electronic election equipment, Khabeishvili asserted that the core issue lay with the individuals managing this equipment. He also drew attention to the voting rights of Georgian immigrants, advocating for the opening of a polling station to ensure their participation and registration in the elections.