“Let the opposition recognise the OSCE/ODIHR opinion on the 2024 parliamentary elections and the government will decide on their invitation within half an hour,” said Tengiz Sharmanashvili, a member of the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party.

According to Sharmanashvili, if the opposition believes that the OSCE/ODIHR has a “decisive word,” and deems the organisation “an objective election observer,” then it should recognise its conclusion.

“The government will decide on their invitation within half an hour, or should we invite a bullied OSCE/ODIHR and throw its opinion afterwards? Do you consider it an authoritative organisation? Then, say you agree with its opinion that the 2024 parliamentary elections were competitive. Hereby is the recommendation about what the Georgian government should improve.

In its opinion, the OSCE/ODIHR acknowledges the government as the legitimate authority and offers recommendations for improvement. It is a matter of dignity—before addressing us, the OSCE/ODIHR should speak to the European Parliament and express how deeply offended it feels for its opinion to be dismissed and thrown aside. We will continue to speak about the rest, it is not worth talking about this before,” he said.