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Polish president reaffirms Warsaw's support for Tbilisi's Euro-Atlantic aspirations

28.10.2024 23:30
Polish President Andrzej Duda on Monday reiterated Warsaw’s support for Tbilisi's aspirations to join the European Union and NATO in a phone call with his Georgian counterpart Salome Zourabichvili.
Thousands of people protested outside Georgias parliament on Monday after the governing party won an election marred by reports of voting irregularities, according to the Reuters news agency.
Thousands of people protested outside Georgia's parliament on Monday after the governing party won an election marred by reports of voting irregularities, according to the Reuters news agency.Photo: EPA/DAVID MDZINARISHVILI

"Just had a phone call with President Salome Zourabichvili," Duda said in an X post.

"We discussed the deeply concerning situation in Georgia following recent parliamentary elections," he added. "I reiterated Poland's unwavering support for the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of the Georgian nation."

Duda's conversation with Zourabichvili came after the Polish foreign ministry expressed concern over the fairness of Georgia's October 26 parliamentary election, in which the pro-Russia ruling party emerged victorious over the pro-EU opposition amid reports of voting irregularities.

The results of Saturday's election dealt a blow to pro-Western groups in Georgia, where the ruling party has strengthened ties with Russia, while the opposition seeks to accelerate integration with Europe, the Reuters news agency reported.

The governing Georgian Dream party secured nearly 54 percent of the vote, according to the country's electoral commission.

This result came amid reports of significant violations in the electoral process, including vote-buying, voter intimidation and ballot-stuffing, Reuters reported.

Zourabichvili, a pro-EU politician and outspoken critic of the ruling party, called on citizens to protest the election results. In response, thousands gathered outside Georgia's parliament on Monday.

"You did not lose the elections," Zourabichvili told the crowd. "Your vote was stolen, and they tried to steal your future as well."

She added: "Together, peacefully, as we are today, we will defend what is ours: your constitutional right to have your vote respected."

The four main opposition parties that won seats in parliament said they did not recognise the results, and vowed to boycott the house, according to Reuters.

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Source: IAR, PAP, Reuters