Key election in Georgia sees ruling party take lead amid EU ambitions

Bidzina Ivanishvili, laminitis of Georgian Dream, swiftly claimed triumph pursuing the adjacent of polls, describing the effect arsenic “rare successful the world” for a enactment successful specified challenging circumstances. Opposition groups initially led successful exit polls, but if Georgian Dream’s bulk holds, it could cement parliamentary power and play a decisive relation successful Georgia’s bid for EU membership.

A protagonist of the Coalition for Change holds a Georgian emblem astatine coalition’s office aft polls closing astatine the parliamentary predetermination successful Tbilisi, Georgia, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (AP)

Brussels precocious paused Georgia’s EU introduction process aft Georgian Dream passed laws curbing state of speech, sparking fears that the ruling enactment could borderline the state distant from the EU and toward Russia’s sphere of influence.

The predetermination was wide viewed arsenic a “make-or-break” infinitesimal for Georgia’s EU aspirations, with galore voters hoping to determination person to Europe. Polling successful the lead-up saw accusations of intimidation by the ruling party, and respective reports of unit were documented astatine polling stations, including attacks connected absorption enactment supporters. Videos of evident ballot-stuffing circulated connected societal media, and the Central Election Commission confirmed a transgression investigation.

Ivanishvili, a billionaire with concern ties to Russia, vowed earlier the predetermination to clasp absorption parties accountable, referring to expected “war crimes” without providing specifics. Many Georgian citizens spot this predetermination arsenic a trial of whether the state volition unafraid a European aboriginal oregon autumn nether Russian influence. Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili described the predetermination arsenic “existential,” reflecting Georgia’s strategical crossroads.

From left, Nika Melia, Nika Gvaramia, leaders of Coalition for Changes, and Nana Malashkhia, who leads the Coalition for Change parliament list, respond portion talking to journalists astatine coalition’s office aft polls closing astatine the parliamentary predetermination successful Tbilisi, Georgia, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (AP)

Though 80% of Georgians favour EU membership, Georgia’s introduction process stalled indefinitely successful June aft Georgian Dream passed a arguable “Russian law.” Opposition person Nika Gvaramia claimed that the election’s effect would find “whether Georgia survives oregon not due to the fact that Ivanishvili’s authorities means Russia.”

Ivanishvili formed his ballot nether dense security, aboriginal framing the predetermination arsenic a prime betwixt a authorities “that volition service you” oregon “agents of a overseas country.” Georgian Dream, which opposes “joining agents of war,” placed billboards with contrasting images of Ukrainian struggle and bid successful Georgia, promoting their slogan, “Say nary to warfare — take peace.”

Georgia’s parliament is made up of 150 seats, and if nary azygous enactment gains a majority, the president volition inquire the largest enactment to signifier a coalition. Some absorption parties person committed to the EU reforms indispensable for membership, contempt Georgian Dream’s laws stalling this progress, arsenic reported by Associated Press.

However, EU leaders person expressed “serious concerns” implicit the existent government’s direction, raising doubts astir Georgia’s alignment with Europe.

(with inputs from AP)