Georgia’s ruling party, Georgian Dream (GD), has emerged victorious in the recent parliamentary elections, maintaining its pro-Russia stance and hindering the country’s aspirations for EU membership. Despite accusations of voter intimidation and coercion, the ruling party secured 54% of the vote, dashing the hopes of the pro-western opposition coalition.
The opposition, led by the United National Movement (UNM), has refused to accept the results, calling it a “constitutional coup” and promising protests. International observers have raised concerns about the conduct of the election, citing reports of intimidation and pressure on voters.
The GD party, founded by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, has been in power since 2012, steering the country towards a conservative course aligned with Russia. The opposition accused the ruling party of relying on “administrative resources” during the elections, including pressuring state employees to vote and offering cash handouts to voters.
The election results have raised fears of democratic backsliding in Georgia, with critics pointing to irregularities such as ballot stuffing and voter intimidation. Despite the opposition’s allegations of voter fraud and violence, the ruling party has claimed a decisive victory.
Georgia, a country of almost 4 million people, has long held aspirations of joining the EU, with up to 80% of its population in favor of EU membership. However, the recent election results signal a shift away from the west towards closer ties with Russia, with the ruling party showing reluctance to condemn Moscow for its actions.
The GD party’s victory has sparked a debate among Georgians about the country’s future course. While some urban and younger voters support the pro-western opposition and envision closer ties with the EU, others, like restaurant worker Irakli Shengelia, see the ruling party as a guarantor of peace and stability with Russia.
The election outcome will have implications for Georgia’s relationship with both Moscow and Brussels, as the EU has put Georgia’s membership application on hold in response to controversial legislation passed by the Georgian parliament. The bill, requiring media and NGOs receiving foreign funding to register as “agents of foreign influence,” has been criticized as a move towards authoritarianism reminiscent of Russian laws.
As Georgia grapples with the aftermath of the election, questions remain about the country’s future trajectory and its ability to balance its pro-western aspirations with its political realities. The opposition’s refusal to accept the results sets the stage for potential political unrest, further polarizing the country and raising concerns about its democratic future.
