The governing party in Georgia has triumphed in the national election, surpassing its pro-European Union and pro-Western opposition.
The Central Election Commission (CEC) reported that the ruling Georgian Dream party, which has held power for over a decade, secured 54% of the votes with more than 99% of ballots counted.
Both Georgian Dream and the opposition factions aiming to terminate its governance framed the election as a critical decision between forging closer ties with the West – possibly by joining the European Union – or strengthening relationships with its regionally influential neighbor, Russia.
Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of Georgian Dream and a billionaire who amassed wealth in Russia, accused opposition parties of acting as “agents of a foreign nation that will merely execute the directives of an external entity” – implying that Western interests desire Georgia to engage in conflict with Russia.
Bidzina Ivanishvili, founder of the Georgian Dream party, reacts after the exit poll results. Pic: Reuters
He also vowed to prohibit all pro-Western opposition groups if his party achieved a constitutional majority.
Mr. Ivanishvili declared victory shortly after the polls closed, asserting it was “rare globally for the same party to attain such success in a challenging context”.
However, the pro-Western President of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili, who has frequently criticized Georgian Dream, was among the opposition leaders who also declared victory following the release of competing exit polls, with some showing the opposition in the lead.
Ms. Zourabichvili had previously posted on X that her bloc, European Georgia, had garnered 52%, despite alleging “efforts to manipulate the elections”.
Images were also circulated of opposition leaders celebrating, signaling their premature confidence.
Nika Melia (L) and Nika Gvaramia, leaders of Coalition for Change, celebrate after polls closed. Pic: AP
Reports of electoral misconduct surfaced, including a video circulated on social media showcasing an individual placing multiple ballots into a box at a polling location in Marneuli.
Georgia’s Ministry of the Interior stated that an investigation had commenced, with the CEC announcing that a criminal case had been initiated and that all results from that polling location would be annulled.
Sky News’ international correspondent John Sparks, reporting from the capital Tbilisi, described the outcome as “surprising” and suggested many Georgians might find it “hard to believe”, as a change in government had been largely anticipated after 12 years of governance.
Election a ‘remarkable outcome’ for Georgian Dream
The outcome of the Georgian parliamentary election is now indisputable – the election commission has officially recognized Georgian Dream as the victors after tabulating over 99% of the ballots.
In many respects, it is a remarkable achievement for a party that has already spent 12 years in authority. Georgian Dream has broadened its electoral support while steering the nation firmly away from Europe and toward closer ties with Russia.
The founder and leader, Bidzina Ivanishvili, employed populist strategies through a series of contentious legislations that restrict the activities of media and civil rights organizations. His party also instituted an anti-LGBT law under the guise of safeguarding “family values and minors.”
Perhaps most effectively, he characterized the West as the “global war coalition”, attempting to draw Georgia into a confrontation with Russia.
Georgian Dream continues to express interest in joining the European Union – although officials stipulate they would only enter “with dignity”. The reality that the
The European Union demonstrates minimal enthusiasm toward engaging with them, yet this does not appear to unsettle Ivanishvili and his associates.
Conversely, many will find the outcome of this election utterly astonishing.
Prominent opposition leaders, including President Salome Zourabishvili, have swiftly leveled allegations of electoral fraud against the government and rallied their followers to protest in the streets.
Georgian Dream has been accused of various infractions, such as ballot box tampering, intimidation, and coercing public employees to support their candidacy.
However, widespread demonstrations are unlikely to alter the outcome—nor will the evaluations provided by international electoral monitors currently scrutinizing the election.
Georgia is poised for another four years under the existing regime, which will undoubtedly transform the essential character of the nation.
This outcome signifies a significant setback for Ms. Zourabichvili, a French expatriate, who had prioritized “resuming dialogue with the European Union,” as noted by Sparks. In contrast, Mr. Ivanishvili has transitioned his party “from an overtly pro-Western stance to one that aligns more closely with Russian interests.”
Brussels halted the membership process for the country following the enactment of laws by Georgian Dream that limited freedom of expression in a nation of 3.7 million inhabitants in the South Caucasus.
The largest opposition party, the United National Movement, reported that its headquarters faced aggression on election day.
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Reports from Georgian media indicated that two individuals were hospitalized after suffering assaults outside polling locations—one incident occurred in Zugdidi, while the other took place in Marneuli, a town situated south of Tbilisi.
Following the election result, demonstrations have erupted nationwide, with prominent opposition leaders, including President Salome Zourabishvili, urging their supporters to congregate in protest.
