Ambassadors Evaluate Pre-Election Campaign in Georgia
Louisa Vinton, United Nations Resident Coordinator and UN Development Program Resident Representative in Georgia, says the pre-election process ahead the second round of the October 28 presidential elections in Georgia develops in a democratic environment, and competition for the presidential elections "is high."
“The most important thing for the UN is that the elections be held in a fair and democratic environment. We see that the electoral process is really developing in a strong democratic environment and competition is quite high,” she told reporters.
European Union Ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzell believes that the pre-election campaign is quite negative.
“We still see a rather negative pre-election campaign, but this is also a choice; the choice of the candidates who participate in this campaign. This is unacceptable, of course, this is hate speech and threats from different directions and different candidates,” he noted.
Austrian Ambassador Arad Benkö noted that the electoral environment is "free" in Georgia.
"If we look at the development of Georgia, we can say that elections are free and it is a big advantage at the initial stages…It's important to ensure political stability, because you can continue your movement to Europe only in a politically stable environment, by making investments and carrying out reforms," said the ambassador.
Ambassador of Italy to Georgia Antonio Enrico Bartoli told media that the second round of the presidential election is a good sign for Georgian democracy.
“This confirms that Georgia is a genuine and true democracy and I think the assessments of the monitoring organizations were good. We embassies observed the election campaigns as well as the election process, and it was calm and democratic. I hope that this climate will be maintained in the future and will fill the gaps that have appeared. This is democracy. I am equipped with confidence towards Georgian democracy,” he said.
The second round of the presidential elections will take place on December 2.
By Thea Morrison