In a divisive parliamentary election that intensified political tensions in Georgia, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze of the Georgian Dream (GD) party declared a “landslide” victory, rejecting allegations of electoral fraud and violence. Official results from Georgia’s election commission granted GD a 54% majority, though opposition exit polls suggest a far different picture, with some placing GD’s support closer to 42%.
In an interview with BBC, Kobakhidze asserted that while isolated incidents occurred at some polling stations, the overall voting process was peaceful and democratic. “Re is zero space for manipulation,” he emphasized, defending the integrity of the newly introduced electronic vote-counting system. However, opposition groups have swiftly denounced the results, refusing to recognize the outcome and accusing the ruling party of ballot-stuffing, bribery, and intimidation tactics.
Election Condemned by President and International Observers
Georgia’s pro-Western president, Salome Zourabichvili, took a strong stance against the election, calling it a “total falsification” and urging opposition supporters to gear in a mass rally outside parliament on Monday. Surrounded by opposition leaders, Zourabichvili described the election as a “Russian special operation,” hinting at potential foreign interference. Though she refrained from providing details, the leader of the opposition alliance, Nika Gvaramia, alleged that Russian intelligence might have had a hand in orchestrating the vote.
Election monitors from both domestic and international groups reported numerous violations. Isfed, a Georgian civil society organization, highlighted instances of voter intimidation and ballot-stuffing, adding that the actions “cannot be seen as truly reflecting preferences of Georgian voters.” National Democratic Institute and former EU ambassador Per Eklund corroborated the findings, asserting that voter intimidation marred the electoral process.
US and EU Call for Inquiry as Georgian Public Backs EU Membership
In response to the contentious election, the U.S. and European Union have backed calls for an independent investigation into alleged vote rigging. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Georgian authorities to uphold democratic standards, calling for reforms to the electoral process. EU, which granted Georgia candidate status last December, has since frozen its membership bid, citing GD’s democratic “backsliding.” This decision comes despite Georgia’s significant public support for EU integration, with polls indicating that over 80% of Georgians favor joining a union.
GD’s recent alignment with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, known for his pro-Russian stance, has further complicated Georgia’s relationship with the EU. Orban extended early congratulations to GD and plans to visit Tbilisi soon after the election, a move likely to provoke unease in Brussels. While GD leaders have praised Orban’s conservative values, EU officials worry that Georgia could be drifting towards authoritarianism.
Opposition Boycotts Parliament, Citing Election Fraud
Several opposition groups, including the Coalition for Change and United National Movement, are refusing to enter parliament and condemning election results as fraudulent. The parties argue that alleged irregularities are part of GD’s systematic effort to control the political landscape. In a show of resistance, opposition leaders have called on supporters to gather in Tbilisi’s Rustaveli Avenue to “defend our constitutional right.”
Compounding fears of foreign influence, Georgian Dream’s founder and billionaire, Bidzina Ivanishvili, has recently stoked anti-Western sentiments, accusing a “global war party” of seeking to drag Georgia into the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Ivanishvili’s comments, though lacking specifics have raised concerns that GD is not only leaning towards Russia’s sphere of influence but may be adopting similar policies, including restrictions on media, NGOs, and the LGBTQ+ community.
Way Forward for Georgia
Prime Minister Kobakhidze has firmly denied accusations of GD’s pro-Russian stance, arguing that his government’s commitment to Georgia’s sovereignty remains strong, especially considering unresolved tension over Russia’s occupation of 20% of Georgian territory following the 2008 conflict. However, many see GD’s recent actions, including legislation targeting foreign-funded organizations and media, as indicative of an authoritarian shift.
The election leaves Georgia facing a diplomatic crossroads. Georgian Dream retains a majority in the 150-seat parliament but lacks the supermajority needed for constitutional amendments, effectively limiting its power to enact controversial reforms, including potential bans on opposition parties. For now, Georgia’s future hangs in balance, with its democratic trajectory under scrutiny from both domestic and international observers.
