A delegation of the Congress will observe the local elections in Georgia scheduled for 15 June 2014. Headed by Jos Wienen (The Netherlands, EPP/CCE), the delegation is composed of 22 members, including members of the EU Committee of the Regions. The delegation will hold two days of meeting in Tbilisi and will be deployed in different regions of the country to observe the vote. A pre-electoral visit was carried out on 28 - 29 May 2014 to assess the campaign environment and the state of the preparations for the vote. In view of Election Day, the Head of the Congress delegation Jos Wienen encouraged the Georgian government to do its utmost to ensure fair campaigning in a peaceful and democratic environment during the remaining days before the vote next Sunday. “I took note of the Government’s pledge to hold local elections of the highest democratic standards, to condemn any form of violence and to ensure the appropriate follow-up of each specific case of violation of the law. The competition between the political parties and candidates during election campaigns may be controversial, but should never be characterised by degrading or hateful discourse or action,”, Mr Wienen said. A Press Conference is scheduled for Monday, 16 June 2014 in Tbilisi at 11:30 am (venue: Meeting room 2, Hotel Marriott Courtyard) to present the preliminary conclusions of the delegation.