Georgian Parliament Speaker Defends Election Legitimacy, Rejects Opposition Claims

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Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili defended the legitimacy of the legislative body on Friday, stating that it was "established by citizens" who clearly expressed their preference for the ruling Georgian Dream party in the recent general elections.

In his remarks over the domestic opposition’s refusal to recognise the outcome of the elections, Papuashvili claimed citizens were  “standing behind” the ruling Georgian Dream party, The Caspian Post reports, citing Georgian media. 

"As for providing legitimacy to the Parliament on the part of the opposition, these are empty words, since the legitimacy to the Parliament is given by the people. The people gave this legitimacy to our Parliament on October 26, including clearly expressing their attitude to who should be in the majority in this Parliament", the Speaker said.  

“The Georgian Dream won convincingly, with 54 percent of, or 1,120,000, votes. The people are behind us and, on behalf of the people, the 11th convocation of the Parliament will soon convene and will be the highest representative body of our country for the next four years”, he continued.

Papuashvili further claimed the domestic opposition was “stuck in the past” and “using the arguments of the last century over elections held in the 21st century”.

He added the opposition had “found themselves up against machines and technology” in the elections, in reference to the electronic technologies used in the voting.