Dayton Reporter

House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Mike Turner participated in a panel discussion hosted by the American Enterprise Institute. The event, titled "Georgians Go to the Polls: Is This the Country's Last Shot at a Democratic Future?" focused on the Republic of Georgia's upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for October 26.

The panel explored the implications of these elections for Georgia's democratic future and potential shifts in its international alliances. Discussions highlighted concerns about Georgia moving away from European Union and NATO influence towards closer ties with Russia and China.

Chairman Mike Turner emphasized the importance of U.S. attention to these elections, stating, “It's important for the United States government to pay attention right now when this election happens Saturday. If there should be a change in power, the United States should make it clear that a smooth transition to power needs to occur, and that the United States will be paying attention and that we will be active.”

He further remarked on Georgia's critical juncture: “This is a turning point for Georgia, and so it's that much more important that we be there and we be committed when it comes to issues, especially where authoritarian regimes have been and have contracted, and democracy and freedom have broken out and are trying to still take hold. There is no greater voice in the world than ours.”

Former Ambassador to Georgia William Courtney noted significant changes under current leadership: “What's different about this election is that never in the past, over three decades of Georgia's independence, has there been a government that's been so hostile to the West, that's taken such an anti-democratic and more pro-Russian direction than this government has done.”

Giorgi Kandelaki, former Georgian Member of Parliament, stressed the strategic importance of Georgian elections for U.S.-Georgia relations: “Georgian elections matter to the United States. It's not just another election in a faraway country where democracy may break down. Georgia matters to the United States because, for a number of reasons, we have decades of an important alliance relationship that cannot just be relinquished.”

Dalibor Rohac from AEI moderated the discussion. He described this electoral moment as crucial: “The upcoming parliamentary election does feel like a make-or-break existential moment for the country—one that will really determine Georgia's geopolitical anchoring and level of freedoms enjoyed by Georgians and quality of government enjoyed by Georgians for a generation if not more.”

The panel included Congressman Mike Turner; Former Ambassador William Courtney; Giorgi Kandelaki; Dalibor Rohac served as moderator.