Stefan Harper, chairman of the world"s leading political union "International Democrat Union" , has released a statement on the second round of the presidential election.

The International Democrat Union is following with grave concern the wave of violence after the first round of Georgia’s presidential election – violence directed against the united opposition “Strength in Unity,” and especially against the campaign of the IDU member-party United National Movement.

IDU Chairman Stephen Harper stated: “An election which respects all the requirements of transparency is the litmus test for Georgia to prove it can be a trustworthy democratic partner. The IDU urges all parties to act fully in accordance with the principles of free and fair elections and to refrain from violence. At the same time any attempt at bribery and election fraud must be stopped and investigated.”

The IDU strongly supports UNM candidate Grigol Vashadze in the upcoming second round of the presidential election on November 28th. Mr Vashadze, a former Minister for Foreign Affairs, is the right candidate to lead Georgia back into the global family of democratic countries.

The International Democrat Union is the world’s leading association of conservative, Christian-democratic, and centre-right political parties. With more than 80 member parties around the world, the IDU connects conservatives globally in support of freedom and democracy