The OSCE Secretary General reiterated the statement that the elections were conducted at a very high level and reflected the will of the voters – the opposition received more than 40%, and when you don’t use the mandate granted by the people, you are disregarding your voters, – stated Irakli Kadagishvili, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Regional Policy and Self-Government, in response to the OSCE Secretary General’s remarks.

According to him, the discussions at the OSCE sessions echoed what the ruling party has been saying all along:

“Yesterday, the OSCE sessions voiced exactly what we’ve been saying consistently. We know that the OSCE has issued two reports regarding our elections. The first was the interim report, which had a positive assessment. The only remark was that the political landscape is polarized – and we’re all aware of that. The second was a post-election press conference and then the final assessment document. The OSCE acknowledged that the elections were held in a competitive environment, people had the opportunity to freely express their choice, and the will of the voters was reflected.

Accordingly, an OSCE observer from Switzerland, who directly participated in the process, stated that the elections were organized and conducted at a very high level and reflected the will of the voters. This same point was reiterated by the OSCE Secretary General, who highlighted two things: first, he said that Georgia is effectively in a state of war, as 20% of its territories are occupied, and therefore, those who make simplistic statements about our country need a deeper analysis and understanding. Second, he emphasized that the elections were held and the will of the people was fully expressed. The opposition received 61 mandates in the 150-member parliament, i.e., more than 40%, and when you don’t use the mandate given by the people, you are disregarding your voters.

This is the truth that was expressed. However, the Swiss delegate also mentioned one thing – something that quickly became known – that some European countries did not like the outcome of the elections. We know exactly who those are – those who came here and campaigned before the elections. No matter how much pressure they apply, no matter how much propaganda they spread inside or outside the country, the truth cannot be hidden, because the facts speak for themselves,” – Kadagishvili said.

For reference, the OSCE Secretary General, Feridun Sinirlioğlu, stated during the OSCE’s annual session in Portugal that:

“For the Georgian opposition to have more than 40% in parliament and not use it is not fair to the people who elected them.”