“The lack of a timely invitation to allow for meaningful observation of Georgia’s upcoming local elections by OSCE/ODIHR is regrettable,” the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs stated.

The statement, disseminated by the Swedish Embassy in Tbilisi, urges Georgian authorities to take steps to restore trust in democratic institutions.

“The lack of a timely invitation to allow for meaningful observation of Georgia’s upcoming local elections by OSCE/ODIHR is regrettable. Recent amendments to Georgia’s electoral legislation jeopardise election integrity. Meanwhile, repression against civil society and opposition continues. Georgian authorities need to restore trust in democratic institutions, including by implementing OSCE electoral recommendations,” the Swedish MFA stated.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced on September 6 that the government had formally invited the OSCE/ODIHR to observe the October 4 elections. However, on September 9, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights confirmed it would not be able to deploy a mission, citing timing constraints, but said it would continue to monitor developments within its mandate.