The OSCE statement confirms what we have been saying for a long time: "Georgian Dream" is a government that genuinely has no interest in creating any democratic facade for elections. These are not elections; this is a battlefield in which the opposition must fight, said Salome Samadashvili, one of the leaders of "Lelo - Strong Georgia," while commenting on the OSCE/ODIHR statement.

According to Samadashvili, the OSCE/ODIHR's call to the authorities to invite its observation mission for the local self-government elections also confirms that the OSCE views these elections as "an arena for conducting a significant political battle."

"The OSCE statement, which expresses concern over the fact that 'Georgian Dream' has not officially invited observers for the local self-government elections, confirms what we have been saying for a long time. This is a government that genuinely has no interest in creating any democratic facade for elections. These are not elections; this is a battlefield in which the opposition must fight and not refuse to engage in this battlefield. The OSCE’s appeal to the authorities to invite its observation mission also confirms that the OSCE views the local self-government elections precisely as an arena for conducting a significant political battle. Therefore, it is not preemptively declaring these elections illegitimate but is calling on the authorities to ensure the implementation of observation functions in this significant political struggle. This further confirms that, in reality, Bidzina Ivanishvili knows he will lose significant positions in the local elections and is so frightened that he does not even want to invite the OSCE observation mission to his government," Samadashvili stated.

For reference, according to the OSCE/ODIHR statement, it is "deeply concerned" about the ongoing events in Georgia and reiterates its readiness to send a mission to the local self-government elections if the authorities "send an invitation in a timely manner."