The Georgian government’s recent ban on overseas voting has ignited widespread outrage within the Georgian diaspora, viewed as a fundamental assault on their rights as citizens. The move, spearheaded by Parliamentary Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, aimed to “increase the stability of elections, reduce the influence of external players, and ensure a more adequate, informed choice,” but instead fueled accusations of authoritarianism. Diaspora members consistently described the amendment as “undemocratic,” highlighting the stark contrast between the government’s claims of international compliance and the reality of restricting their ability to participate in their nation’s political process.
Figures like Ketevan Sharukhia, a member of Géorgie vue de France, expressed deep regret over the widening gap between promises and actions, noting the perceived “sleeping” of European authorities. The decision followed a French parliamentary resolution condemning the Georgian government’s “illiberal and authoritarian drift” and affirming support for Georgia’s European aspirations. Many Georgians living abroad, like Lalo at a Berlin protest, emphasized their status as citizens and the vital role overseas voting plays in their engagement.
Over 1.5 million Georgians reside internationally, a fact acknowledged by Deputy Foreign Minister Vladimir Konstantinidis, yet the government’s refusal to track this population raises concerns. Critics argued the ban was “unconstitutional,” infringing on the basic right to vote, while others, such as Gaga Gogoladze of the Georgisches Zentrum im Ausland, pointed out that restricting overseas voting was a rare reversal of democratic norms. Shorena Kharazishvili, who emigrated to France in 2012, exemplified the complex feelings of those affected.
Having built a life and family in France, she remained deeply proud of her Georgian heritage and exercised her right to vote at the Georgian embassy. However, disillusionment with the current political climate in Georgia, coupled with concerns about potential “mass election fraud” raised by groups like We Vote, further intensified the sense of injustice. The situation underscored the deep divisions within Georgian society and the ongoing struggle for democratic values.
The debate surrounding the ban on overseas voting continues to highlight the importance of inclusivity and the rights of the Georgian diaspora.
Topics: #georgian #overseas #voting
The government’s overseas voting restriction has provoked significant anger among Georgian emigrants, considered a serious violation of their citizenship status. This action, led by Parliamentary Spea