Georgia’s parliamentary election on Saturday has been thrown into turmoil as the ruling Georgian Dream party, led by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, declared victory while the opposition vehemently claimed they had won and demanded a concession. The election was widely viewed as a crucial turning point for the South Caucasus nation, potentially determining its future alignment – closer to the West or leaning towards Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The election was marred by allegations of electoral irregularities. Independent domestic election monitors and even Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili, a former ally of the ruling party turned fierce critic, accused Georgian Dream of widespread vote-buying and other forms of electoral abuse leading up to the vote. Georgian Dream has not responded to these accusations.
Competing exit polls presented starkly contrasting projections, further fueling the controversy. An exit poll conducted by Imedi TV, known for its pro-Georgian Dream stance, indicated the ruling party secured 56% of the vote. Conversely, pro-opposition channels Formula and Mtavari Arkhi showed significant gains for Western-aligned opposition parties, suggesting they might collectively form a majority in the 150-seat parliament despite their internal divisions.
Ivanishvili, the reclusive founder of Georgian Dream and a former prime minister, confidently declared victory, stating, “It is a rare case in the world that the same party achieves such success in such a difficult situation – this is a good indicator of the talent of the Georgian people.” He expressed optimism about the future, assuring the public that Georgia would achieve great success in the next four years.
The opposition, however, countered with their own claim of victory. Tina Bokuchava, leader of the United National Movement party, led by former President Mikheil Saakashvili, asserted that the opposition had won by a substantial 10% margin. Bokuchava stated, “Against that backdrop, most people will be taking Bidzina Ivanishvili’s claims of a government majority with a large bucket of salt. We believe the Georgian public has voted clearly for a future at the heart of Europe and no amount of posturing will change that.”
The opposition’s assertion of victory has ignited a potential confrontation with the ruling party. The opposition’s call for Ivanishvili to concede could lead to a protracted power struggle, leaving Georgia’s future trajectory uncertain.
Georgia’s history as one of the most pro-Western states emerging from the Soviet Union’s collapse is a stark contrast to its current political climate. Tbilisi’s relations with the West have strained significantly since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Unlike many Western allies, Georgia refrained from imposing sanctions on Moscow, while Georgian Dream’s rhetoric has taken on a more pro-Russian tone. This shift in stance has drawn criticism from Western allies, who perceive Georgian Dream’s policies as increasingly authoritarian.
The election results are likely to have significant implications for Georgia’s future direction. The opposition’s call for a concession and the uncertainty surrounding the election outcome have set the stage for a potential confrontation and a period of political instability.