**Georgia's President Urges Protests Over Disputed Election Results, Condemns Russian Influence**

Georgia's pro-Western president, Salome Zourabichvili, has made an impassioned plea to her country's citizens to protest against the contentious results of the recent parliamentary elections. Zourabichvili has described the election as a "gift" to Russian President Vladimir Putin and claims it has been manipulated with help from Russia.

"As the last independent institution, I cannot recognize these elections - it would legitimize Russia's takeover of Georgia. Our ancestors endured too much for us to surrender our European future," Zourabichvili declared in a statement on X. She further elaborated in an interview with the Associated Press, labeling the election as "rigged with the help of Russia."

This disputed election result is perceived as a severe setback for Georgia, a nation striving to join the European Union and forge closer ties with the West. The opposition's loss raises concerns about Georgia's EU membership aspirations and suggests a potential increase in Russian influence.

Rebekah Koffler, a former Defense Intelligence Agency officer, explained to Fox News Digital that Putin's longstanding objective since 1999 has been to reintegrate former Soviet states under Russia's control. Although there is currently no concrete evidence of vote manipulation, Koffler noted that Russian intelligence agencies often engage in influence operations through financing, intimidation, and agitation, tactics which are challenging to trace and accurately analyze.

The United States is backing Georgia's pro-European president and those advocating for independence from Russia. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized reports of irregularities and sporadic violence, noting that international observers have not deemed the election free and fair. Blinken called for a thorough investigation into all election-related violations.

U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho) issued a joint statement acknowledging the precarious moment for Georgia and the adverse effects of the election on the nation's economic and security agenda. They also acknowledged Russia's efforts to create division and spread disinformation. The senators affirmed the Georgian people's right to peaceful protest and urged the authorities to respect this democratic right.

The Russian-backed Georgian Dream party declared victory shortly after polls closed, claiming around 54% of the vote, compared to the opposition's 38%. Notably, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban congratulated Georgian Dream and Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze before the election results were officially released, lending further legitimacy to the disputed outcome.

Numerous opposition figures have rejected Georgian Dream's victory, alleging the election was stolen and manipulated. President Zourabichvili and many Western observers have reported irregularities, including fraud and ballot stuffing. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) highlighted a tense environment, physical altercations, and widespread voter intimidation in its statement.

Protests have already begun in response to the disputed results, with many Georgians voicing their desire for a European future. Given that polls show up to 83% of Georgians support joining the EU, dissatisfaction is widespread. The Georgian Dream party had stalled Georgia's EU admission process since the country became a candidate member in 2023, further aggravating tensions.

Following the passage of a controversial "foreign agent" law considered pro-Kremlin, the U.S. imposed sanctions and travel bans on the officials responsible and paused $95 million in assistance to the Georgian government. As mass protests loom, the situation in Georgia remains volatile, with potential for escalating tensions if security forces respond with violence.