Reuters
In a dramatic display of political maneuvering, Georgia’s increasingly authoritative ruling party has triumphantly declared victory following preliminary electoral results that signal a substantial lead in a pivotal election reflecting the nation’s propelling trajectory towards Europe.
The Georgian Dream party, helmed by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, has soared to approximately 54% based on over 99% of counted districts, according to the central election commission.
Yet, these initial results starkly contrasted with exit polls conducted by Western analysts. Opposition figures vehemently alleged that the sanctity of the vote had been undermined, labeling the situation as a betrayal of the Georgian populace.
“We categorically reject these falsified election results,” declared Tina Bokuchava, chair of the United National Movement.
Another opposition leader, Nika Gvaramia, described the developments as a “constitutional coup,” while both sides laid claim to victory based on competing exit polls.
Voter turnout surged on Saturday in this South Caucasus nation bordering Russia, amid numerous reports of electoral violations and acts of violence outside polling stations.
An opposition official in a town south of the capital, Tbilisi, recounted a harrowing experience of being assaulted first by a local Georgian Dream councilor, followed by a mob of ten other attackers. “I was utterly bewildered by the suddenness of it all,” he described.
A coalition comprising 2,000 election observers identified as My Vote stated that the scale of alleged vote fraud and accompanying violence eroded faith in the preliminary results, deeming them “not reflective of the true will of Georgian citizens.”
The opposition characterized this high-stakes electoral process as an existential choice: a crossroads between aligning with Europe or succumbing to Russian influence. For many, it represented the most critical election since Georgia’s declaration of independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
Matthew Goddard/BBC
As the polls closed, different exit polls indicated conflicting results; Edison and HarrisX reported Georgian Dream holding only between 40.9% and 42%, while pro-government Imedi TV was heralding a much higher score of 56% for the ruling party.
Subsequently, preliminary results trickled in, but the electoral commission faced severe scrutiny for its closeness to the ruling establishment and for hastily implementing reform measures just before the election.
“An electoral process demands a government entity uphold transparency,” stated Dritan Nesho from HarrisX, highlighting discrepancies that suggested a looming injustice.
In a situation wherein Georgian Dream claims a sweeping parliamentary majority, the opposition finds itself fragmented, with no party managing to breach the 5% threshold required for representation.
Bidzina Ivanishvili, who struck gold during Russia’s tumultuous 1990s, expressed triumph, declaring it a “rare occurrence for a party to attain such success amid challenging times.”
Conversely, opposition members condemned the results as an intolerable thievery of Georgia’s European future. “This is a pivotal moment,” articulated Levan Benidze, a 36-year-old opposition voter, underscoring the significance of this electoral crossroad amidst a backdrop of geopolitical turbulence.
VANO SHLAMOV/AFP
Despite being granted EU candidacy status last December, Georgia’s accession has faced setbacks due to allegations of “democratic backsliding,” including the controversial implementation of a Russian-style foreign influence law targeting pro-Western organizations.
Decades after the USSR’s disintegration, Russia still asserts a claim over what it deems its historic territory—the recent downturn in Georgian relations appears to favor the Kremlin’s strategic interests.
Georgian Dream has vowed to keep the EU accession momentum alive, although it has sought to depict opposition forces as pawns of foreign powers, potentially dragging Georgia into turmoil.
The specter of Russian military occupation looms large, with 20% of Georgian territory remaining under Russian control following the brief war of 2008.
Ivanishvili’s increasingly anti-Western sentiments hint that a potential fourth term could steer the nation back into Russia’s orbit.
His rhetoric sharply divides the electorate into loyal supporters of a government aimed at serving domestic interests, while branding the opposition as foreign manipulators of discord and strife.
Ivanishvili has framed the opposition’s alignment with the West as a push towards involvement in Ukraine’s unraveling conflict, with Georgian Dream positioned as the guardian of peace—a narrative that seems to resonate with many voters.
“Peace for my family and all Georgians is paramount,” asserted Tinatin Gvelesiani, 55, a voter for Georgian Dream.
Electoral monitors detailed widespread violations, ranging from blatant ballot stuffing to overt voter intimidation.
With the closing of polls nearing, pro-Western President Salome Zourabichvili urged opposition supporters to resist intimidation.
“Do not succumb to fear. This is merely psychological pressure,” she asserted in a live social media address, yet the threats transformed into violence for Azat Karimov.
The local chair of the United National Movement decried being attacked while uncovering electoral malfeasance, alleging coercive tactics used by Georgian Dream officials.
As the oppression played out at the polls, reports emerged of a Russian disinformation campaign seeking to undermine the election atmosphere. The Kremlin, meanwhile, denied involvement and asserted that the West was conspiring to disrupt Georgian sovereignty.
Earlier this year, Sergei Naryshkin, the director of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, accused the United States of orchestrating an imminent “Color Revolution” in Georgia.
