Pro-Russian Ruling Party Wins Landslide in General Election... Suspicion of Russian Interference
Ukraine and Other European Countries Tense Ahead of Presidential Election
On the 27th (local time), Salome Zurabishvili, President of Georgia, held a press conference with opposition leaders, stating that Russia systematically interfered in the Georgian general election and that the election cannot be recognized. [Image source=AP·Yonhap News]
In the parliamentary elections of Georgia, a country neighboring Russia, the pro-Russian ruling party 'Georgian Dream' secured more than a majority, defeating the pro-Western opposition coalition, amid growing controversy over Russian interference in the elections. Earlier, suspicions of Russian interference also arose in Moldova's presidential election, which borders Ukraine, raising concerns that Russia's influence over elections in European countries may strengthen in the future. In particular, in Ukraine, where a presidential election must be held soon after the war ends, there is a possibility that a pro-Russian regime could come to power.
Georgian President: "Acknowledging Rigged Elections Legitimizes Russia's Occupation of Georgia"
On the 26th (local time), immediately after the announcement of the exit poll results for the Georgian general election, Bidzina Ivanishvili, leader of the ruling party 'Georgian Dream,' is giving a speech. [Image source=AFP·Yonhap News]
According to CNN, on the 27th (local time), Salome Zurabishvili, the President of Georgia, held a press conference and stated that Russia illegally interfered in the parliamentary elections held the previous day and that the results cannot be recognized. Earlier, the pro-Russian ruling party 'Georgian Dream' won a landslide victory with 54% of the vote against the pro-Western opposition coalition.
President Zurabishvili strongly criticized, saying, "In this election, Russia attempted organized interference reminiscent of a 'special operation' and waged a new form of hybrid warfare against our country and people," adding, "We absolutely cannot recognize this election, and recognizing these results is tantamount to legitimizing Russia's occupation of Georgia."
The Georgian opposition, which joined the press conference with President Zurabishvili, also stated that they cannot accept the election results. Pro-Western Georgian opposition parties such as the 'United National Movement' strongly raised suspicions of Russian election interference. They claim that Russia supported the pro-Russian party behind the scenes through various illegal acts such as vote-buying across a wide area.
The independent Georgian election monitoring organization 'International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED)' stated in a press release, "Serious violations such as ballot tampering on election day, multiple voting, voter bribery, expulsion of observers, illegal mobilization of voters, violence, and intimidation were revealed." International election monitoring organizations such as the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the U.S. nonprofit International Republican Institute (IRI), and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) also reported multiple instances of organized illegal activities and presented evidence of violations. However, the Georgian Election Commission has repeatedly maintained that there were no problems.
Moldova Followed by Suspicions of Russian Election Interference... Concerns Over Ukraine's Presidential Election Interference
Following the controversy over Russian interference in Moldova's presidential election held on the 20th, suspicions have also been raised about interference in Georgia's parliamentary elections held just a week later, causing tension among European countries preparing for upcoming elections. If Russia continues to organize election interference behind the scenes by mobilizing political funds and operatives to support pro-Russian parties in Europe, the political landscape of Europe could undergo significant changes.
Concerns about Russian election interference are particularly heightened in Ukraine, where the presidential election has been postponed due to the declaration of martial law. According to the Ukrainian media outlet Kyiv Independent, President Volodymyr Zelensky's term officially ended in May, but citing the wartime situation, martial law was declared, indefinitely postponing the presidential election while he remains in office. The Ukrainian government has stated that the presidential election will be held immediately after the war ends, while Russia criticizes Zelensky as no longer being the legitimate president.
Andriy Yermak, Chief of Staff to the President, said in an interview with the Italian daily Corriere della Sera, "President Volodymyr Zelensky wants all soldiers and refugees abroad to be able to vote. However, right now, resources must be devoted to the war," reiterating that the election will not be held until the war ends.
Meanwhile, amid the prolonged war, support for Zelensky's cabinet continues to decline as a series of scandals involving close aides emerge. According to The New York Times (NYT), immediately after the outbreak of war with Russia in February 2022, support for Zelensky's cabinet reached 91%, but by December last year, it had fallen to 62%.
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