BERLIN, Jan 01, (V7N)– The foreign ministers of Germany, France, and Poland have urged Georgian authorities to consider holding fresh elections to address the country's deepening political crisis.

The call comes after Mikheil Kavelashvili, a ruling party loyalist and former footballer, was inaugurated as president on Sunday. His presidency has been declared "illegitimate" by outgoing pro-EU leader Salome Zurabishvili and thousands of protesters who allege the October general elections were rigged by the Georgian Dream party.

European Ministers' Statement

In a joint statement, the German, French, and Polish foreign ministers emphasized the need for a resolution to the crisis, stating:

"The call for new elections, coming from parts of Georgian society, deserves to be addressed by authorities."

The ministers also called for a national dialogue involving all relevant stakeholders to rebuild public trust in Georgian democracy.

Concerns Over Election Integrity

The ministers cited a report from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), which highlighted widespread irregularities in the October elections.

"The vote was not conducted according to standards expected from an EU candidate," they said, underscoring their concerns over the electoral process's integrity.

Protests and Government Crackdown

The crisis has escalated since November 28, when the Georgian government announced it was halting EU membership talks, triggering daily protests in the streets of Tbilisi.

Demonstrators accuse the Georgian Dream government of undermining the country's EU aspirations and increasing repression. More than 400 people have been arrested during the protests, with reports of detainees being beaten.

The European ministers condemned the violence, stating:

"We strongly condemn violence against peaceful protesters and call on authorities to respect human rights and protect fundamental freedoms, including freedom of assembly and media freedom."

Blame on Georgian Dream

The statement placed responsibility for the crisis on Georgian Dream, accusing the party of "departure from the European path" and undermining democratic norms. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has dismissed calls for fresh elections, further deepening the political impasse.

International Pressure and Future Prospects

The EU ministers reiterated their support for Georgia's European aspirations but warned that the current situation jeopardizes the country’s progress toward EU integration. They urged Georgian authorities to act swiftly to restore democratic processes and avoid further instability.

The ongoing crisis remains a significant test for Georgia's political leadership and its relationshipwith the international community.

END/WD/RH/