As of today, regulations related to the pre-election campaign have come into effect, which, among other things, concern participation in agitation for or against an electoral subject, stated Shalva Papuashvili, Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia.

According to him, in accordance with Article 41 of the Vienna Convention, diplomats “are obliged to respect the laws of the host state.”

He noted that during the last parliamentary elections, “we excessively witnessed the participation of foreign politicians and diplomats in pre-election agitation, both through statements and by funding such activities.”

“Today, the President of Georgia announced local self-government elections.

As of today, regulations related to the pre-election campaign have come into effect, which, among other things, concern participation in agitation for or against an electoral subject.

Election legislation applies to everyone in Georgia, including diplomats. According to Article 41 of the Vienna Convention, diplomats ‘are obliged to respect the laws of the host state. They are also obliged not to interfere in the internal affairs of that state.’

Unfortunately, during the last parliamentary elections, we excessively witnessed the participation of foreign politicians and diplomats in pre-election agitation, both through statements and by funding such activities. This was a gross violation of both the Vienna Convention and Georgia’s legislation.

This must not happen again.

Therefore, I particularly call on foreign diplomats accredited in Georgia to respect the Vienna Convention, Georgia’s legislation, and the right of the Georgian people to make their choice without foreign interference.

These elections will be a test to show who respects the sovereignty of the Georgian people and who only respects khinkali.

We will closely monitor this issue in detail,” Papuashvili wrote.