Protests have continued in Georgia for weeks owing to allegations that October’s general elections were subjected to Russian influence and fraud, and a subsequent decision by the government to shelve accession talks with the EU.

“Following discussions and after close consideration, I've decided to postpone visiting Georgia until a time that the OSCE PA’s engagement would be most effective,” Pia Kauma wrote on the X platform.

Salome Zourabichvili, who has refused to relinquish the post of Georgian president owing to her belief that the new president is illegitimate because of being voted into office by a parliament she also considers to be illegitimate, welcomed Kauma’s move, calling it a “very wise decision”.

“The Georgian people do appreciate your taking into account the concerns and hopes of Georgian democracy,” she added.

She had previously said the planned trip “outrages the people standing on the Tbilisi streets for 40 nights, protesting rigged elections, and turn to Russia.”

“Such an ill-timed visit will not help to solve the crisis, only elections can,” she added.

In an open letter to Kauma published ahead of the cancellation, Joe Wilson, a US congressman and a chair of the Helsinki Commission wrote: “I am deeply concerned that Georgian Dream would exploit any OSCE PA official engagement with its leaders... to legitimize its tenuous grasp on power.”

The prospect of Kauma visiting Georgia had been welcomed by the Georgian Dream party, the victors of October’s contested vote.

Archil Gorduladze, a Georgian Dream politician, wrote “The OSCE/ODIHR visit is, of course, very important and underscores that October 26 parliamentary elections indeed took place.”

“When the leadership of such an important organization once again visits Georgia to communicate with the elected government... this once again emphasizes that the choice of the Georgian people is important for the organization.”