Former Georgian prime minister says nation’s election was ‘rigged,’ and ‘written in Moscow’

Georgia is currently facing a crisis of democracy, with former Prime Minister Nika Gilauri telling Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview that the country now has Russian-styled elections and an illegitimate parliament. Gilauri expressed concerns about Russian interference in Georgia’s political affairs, pointing to a pattern of similar events in neighboring countries like Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine.

The recent election victory of the pro-Russia Georgian Dream party has raised suspicions of Russian involvement, with President Vladimir Putin himself praising the government’s stance against European pressure. Gilauri believes that the events unfolding in Georgia are orchestrated by Moscow, with the goal of halting the country’s Western ambitions and moving it closer to Russia.

Thousands of Georgians have taken to the streets in protest since the election results were announced, with reports of severe beatings and detentions by authorities. The current president, Salome Zourabichvili, has refused to step down and has declared the elections fraudulent, calling for new elections to be held.

Despite pressure from the Georgian Dream party, Zourabichvili remains defiant and has become the de facto leader of the protest movement. The situation in Georgia remains tense, with uncertainty looming over the country’s political future.

The European Union has expressed concerns about the election irregularities in Georgia and has called for an investigation into the alleged fraud. Many Georgians have long aspired to join the EU, with strong public support for integration. However, the Georgian Dream party has stalled the country’s efforts to join the EU since becoming a candidate member in 2023.

The EU has put Georgia’s integration process on hold following the passage of a controversial “foreign agent” law, which requires organizations receiving over 20% of funding from abroad to register as foreign agents. The U.S. has imposed sanctions on Georgian officials responsible for the law and has paused millions of dollars in assistance to the government.

The situation in Georgia remains fluid, with political tensions running high and uncertainty about the country’s future direction. The international community is closely monitoring developments in Georgia, with hopes for a peaceful resolution to the political crisis.