Representatives of Georgia’s parliamentary opposition convened with members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) pre-election observation mission to discuss the pre-election climate and the forthcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for October 26, 2024.

The opposition delegation included Teona Akubardia, Ana Natsvlishvili, Herman Sabo, Tamar Kordzaia, Khatuna Samnidze, and Khatia Dekanoidze.

During the meeting, the opposition expressed concerns regarding the declining legislative framework, which they attributed to the ruling Georgian Dream party.

“When discussing the pre-election environment, it is crucial to highlight the deteriorating legislation under the Georgian Dream party. This issue was raised during our discussions with the monitoring mission members. I emphasized the presence of a violent pre-election environment,” stated Teona Akubardia, representing the For Georgia party.

Khatia Dekanoidze of the Eurooptimists political group remarked that the monitoring mission is well-acquainted with Georgia’s political challenges.

“During the meeting, we received stark assessments from our partners. They assured us that any violations occurring during the pre-election period and on election day will be documented and evaluated,” Dekanoidze noted.

Ana Natsvlishvili, a member of the Lelo – Partnership for Georgia group, highlighted the historical significance of the upcoming elections, describing them as a pivotal moment for the country’s future trajectory.

“These elections will be a critical juncture for Georgia, determining its path between Russia and Europe, and between autocracy and freedom. The high level of attention and interest surrounding this election underscores its importance as a significant and historic event,” she asserted.