The Georgian opposition is calling for protests and the European Union is demanding an investigation into alleged irregularities after a disputed legislative vote that showed a win for the ruling party accused of moving closer to Russia. President Salome Zurabishvili accused Moscow of election fraud, calling it a “Russian special operation.” Opposition leaders are calling for rallies and mass protests. The EU has warned that the election is a crucial test of democracy and could affect Georgia’s chances of joining the bloc. EU Council President Charles Michel has called for an independent investigation into the alleged irregularities.
International observers have stated that the election was “marred by an uneven playing field, pressure, and tension.” The EU parliament mission also expressed concern about “democratic backsliding” and reported instances of ballot box stuffing and physical assault of observers. Former president Mikheil Saakashvili has called for opposition lawmakers to renounce their parliamentary seats and for mass protests to show the world that they are fighting for freedom. The ruling Georgian Dream party won 54% of the vote, giving them 91 seats in the 150-member parliament, enough to govern but short of a supermajority.
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has claimed an “impressive victory” and accused the opposition of undermining the country’s constitutional order by questioning the ruling party’s victory. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, an ally of Georgian Dream, rushed to congratulate them on their victory. However, opposition parties have denounced the vote as an attempt to steal Georgia’s future. Analysts have expressed concerns about political instability and the dimming of Georgia’s hopes to join the EU as a result of the disputed election.
Georgia has been experiencing mass demonstrations against the government’s attempts to curtail democratic freedoms and steer the country away from its pro-Western course. Georgian Dream, in power since 2012, initially pursued a liberal pro-Western agenda but has reversed course in recent years. The ruling party’s campaign focused on a conspiracy theory about a “global war party” controlling Western institutions and trying to drag Georgia into the Russia-Ukraine war. In response to protests against its foreign influence law targeting civil society, the EU froze Georgia’s accession process and the US imposed sanctions on Georgian officials.
The ruling party in Georgia has adopted measures against sexual minorities, including banning LGBTQ+ propaganda, nullifying same-sex marriages conducted abroad, and outlawing gender reassignment. These measures have also been criticized as a Kremlin-style attempt to silence dissent. Despite the challenges facing the opposition in Georgia, analysts point out that charismatic leaders are needed to channel popular anger into a protest wave capable of bringing about political change. The country is facing political instability and uncertainty about its future direction, with the ruling party accused of backsliding on democratic principles. The outcome of the election has raised concerns about Georgia’s relationship with the EU and its path towards joining the bloc.
