White House Releases Joe Biden's Urgent Statement on Georgia

President Joe Biden's statement regarding the democratic backsliding in Georgia: “The United States has long stood by the Georgian people and supported Georgia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and Euro-Atlantic aspirations. That is why I am deeply concerned about the country’s recent democratic backsliding, including the adoption of legislation that mirrors Russian laws limiting fundamental freedoms.

Just recently, on October 26, parliamentary elections took place in Georgia that were accompanied by numerous cases of administrative resource abuse, as well as intimidation and coercion of voters. Georgian citizens have the right to peacefully express their views on the conduct of these elections, which independent international and local observers have not qualified as free and fair.

We call on the Georgian government to transparently investigate all electoral violations, revoke laws such as the so-called “Foreign Influence Law,” which restricts the freedoms of assembly and expression, and to initiate an immediate, inclusive dialogue with all political forces in Georgia to restore the integrity of the elections. We urge all parties to strictly respect the rule of law and fundamental freedoms, which remain the foundation of Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic future.”