Georgian prime minister talks of unprecedented foreign interference in elections

The election period in Georgia is taking place amid unprecedented foreign interference, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said in a press briefing.

“Unfortunately, the parliamentary elections are taking place against the backdrop of unprecedented foreign interference. The interference that contradicts the electoral principles will not actually affect the results of the elections,” Kobakhidze said.

According to him, more than 450 organizations in Georgia have been put in the foreign agents register. The prime minister added that, after all, foreign donors threaten to cut funding to Georgian NGOs, if they appear in the register of foreign agents.

Parliamentary elections in Georgia will be held on Oct. 26. This will be the first election to use voting machines, which will be installed in 74% of polling stations, covering almost 90% of voters.

The ruling  Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia party, which has been in power for 12 years, will run for the fourth time. Its main rival, as in the previous elections, is going to be the United National Movement party founded by former President Mikheil Saakashvili. To have seats in the parliament, the parties must overcome the 5% threshold.