Georgia’s President Salome Zourabichvili has called for public protests after a contentious parliamentary election, where the ruling Georgian Dream party claimed victory with nearly 54% of the vote, as confirmed by the electoral commission. However, opposition parties and international observers reported numerous violations, including intimidation, vote-buying, and physical violence, casting doubts on the election’s legitimacy. Zourabichvili, once aligned with Georgian Dream but now a staunch critic, described the election as a “Russian special operation,” although she did not elaborate on Moscow’s direct involvement.
The United States and the European Union have urged a thorough investigation into the reported irregularities, with the European Parliament monitoring delegation condemning Georgian Dream’s campaign tactics as anti-Western and marked by misinformation. The ruling party has faced accusations of democratic backsliding and authoritarianism after passing a controversial foreign influence law similar to Russian policies. Meanwhile, European Council President Charles Michel called on Georgian authorities to address the violations transparently to demonstrate their commitment to EU aspirations, which have been indefinitely delayed due to recent Georgian policies.
Georgians’ reactions reflect widespread frustration and fears of shifting toward Moscow’s orbit, particularly in rural areas where Georgian Dream garnered significant support. In contrast, major urban centers, such as the capital Tbilisi, showed more support for opposition parties favoring EU integration. As public discontent grows, Georgian Dream’s close ties with Russian-aligned policies and leaders, such as Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, have heightened concerns among citizens and opposition leaders alike over the nation’s pro-European future.
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