The Georgian government sent an invitation letter to the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) to observe the upcoming October 4 municipal elections, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced at the briefing.

The PM expressed hope that the OSCE/ODIHR would not “refrain from sending the observation mission” to Georgia.

“We have been saying for the last several weeks that we would invite the OSCE/ODIHR mission immediately if the radical opposition and its foreign patrons would affirm respect for the OSCE/ODIHR report on the 2024 parliamentary elections.

You all remember that the OSCE/ODIHR had become the subject of attacks on the part of the radical opposition and its foreign patrons. European and former U.S. bureaucrats have expressed their harsh disrespect towards the report. This is the image of European bureaucrats, I regret to say. They recognize justice and democracy only in the case that their favorite force, in the case of Georgia, the collective United National Movement, is winning the elections. Otherwise, they attack democracy and people’s free will, as we have witnessed following the 2024 parliamentary elections.

Taking into account such stance of European bureaucrats, it is likely that the OSCE/ODIHR mission is more pressured this year than in 2024. Therefore, we acknowledge that we put the OSCE/ODIHR in the face of a serious challenge. However, despite the above-mentioned, including the fact that the radical opposition and its patrons failed to demonstrate respect to the OSCE/ODIHR last year’s report, even after our calls, and in order not to leave space for questions over elections, we decided to invite the OSCE/ODIHR mission to observe the October 4 municipal elections and have sent an invitation letter.

We keep hope that despite offences and pressure, the OSCE/ODIHR will not refrain from sending its observation mission to Georgia. The Georgian government, traditionally, reaffirms its readiness to ensure all conditions for comprehensive observation,” the PM said.