The ruling Georgian Dream party claimed victory in Georgia’s recent parliamentary elections, a result that has quickly stirred domestic and international concerns.
Protest Against Rigged Election
Georgian Dream, a conservative party led by pro-Russian billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, secured around 54.1% of the vote, according to preliminary numbers from Georgia's Central Election Commission on Sunday.
The primary pro-European coalition won roughly 37.6% of the vote but has contested the results, with opposition leaders calling for protests against what they allege is a rigged election, according to Ziare.
Georgian Dream’s reported win positions the party to hold around 90 seats in Georgia’s 150-seat parliament, a significant majority.
This legislative dominance could allow the ruling party to push for constitutional amendments and potentially marginalize pro-European voices within the government. Critics worry that the outcome signals Georgia’s shift from its goal of EU integration, instead moving closer to Russia’s sphere of influence.
Restrictive Law Against LGBTQ+
Several opposition figures have spoken out against the ruling party’s practices. Tina Bokuchava of the National Movement called the election “stolen,” denouncing it as a “constitutional coup.”
Similarly, Nika Gvaramia, leader of the Ahali party, alleged election manipulation, stating that opposition members uncovered evidence of ballot-stuffing to favor Georgian Dream.
The European Union had previously warned that Georgia’s EU membership aspirations would rely on the integrity of this election.
The ruling party’s conservative stance and recent legislative changes, including a restrictive law against LGBTQ+ rights, have drawn further criticism. In May, mass protests erupted over a law mimicking Russia’s “foreign influence” legislation, which was widely seen as a crackdown on civil society.
In Tbilisi, international observers noted irregularities, including incidents of violence in polling stations. Video footage reportedly showed scuffles between voters and election officials, with allegations of extra ballots being cast at certain stations.
The Central Election Commission nullified ballots at one site in Sadakhlo, a village in eastern Georgia, after opposition members posted videos alleging ballot tampering.
One of the few EU leaders to praise the election outcome was Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a close ally of Moscow, who called the Georgian Dream victory “overwhelming.” Meanwhile, protesters in Tbilisi and other cities remain vocal, pushing back against what they see as Georgian Dream’s authoritarian shift.
