Givi Mikanadze, an MP from the Georgian Dream, alleged foreign interference and “destructive actions” by the “radical opposition” and several non-governmental organisations in the lead-up to the October 26 elections. During a press briefing, he claimed “efforts by external forces to interfere in the pre-election process and influence voter intentions have visibly intensified”.

“We would like to draw the public’s attention to the attempts of a foreign force to interfere in the pre-election process in Georgia, destructive actions by the radical opposition and the non-governmental sector, and other pre-election violations in recent days. Let’s start with the issue of foreign interference in the elections.

In recent months, statements of threats to impeach high government officials have become more frequent, and we have seen the visit of a foreign politician to Georgia in order to carry out agitation against the ruling team. It is a fact that the approach of Election Day has intensified the efforts of such forces to interfere in the pre-election process and influence the will of the voters.

On September 16, the website of the United States Department of State reported that the Department of the Treasury of the United States of America, without any evidence or arguments, sanctioned the head of the Department of Special Tasks of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and his deputy. In addition, the State Department has released information on the imposition of visa restrictions for high-ranking officials of the government and municipalities, members of parliament and their family members. Carrying out similar actions by a foreign country in the pre-election period is an interference in the pre-election process and an attempt to influence the will of the voters.

On September 16, the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the German Bundestag, Michael Roth, arrived in Georgia and held a meeting with representatives of the opposition parties and the non-governmental sector, and also met with Salome Zourabichvili. After each meeting, he made statements against and insulting the ruling team”, - said Givi Mikanadze.