Georgia votes in key test for democracy, EU ambitions
The election result will determine the fledgling party’s European aspirations amid growing concerns over the ruling party’s pro-Russia drift
Georgians voted on Saturday in elections that will determine the fledgling democracy’s European aspirations, amid growing concerns over the ruling party’s pro-Russian drift.
The parliamentary election pits an unprecedented union of pro-Western opposition forces against the ruling Georgian Dream accused of stifling democracy and turning towards Russia.
Brussels has warned that the vote will determine European Union-candidate Tbilisi’s chances of joining the bloc.
Opinion polls in the country of four million indicate opposition parties could get enough votes to form a coalition to supplant Georgian Dream, controlled by powerful billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili.
Pro-Western President Salome Zurabishvili said the vote would “determine Georgia’s future”, while the chair of the United National Movement opposition party, Tina Bokuchava, promised a “great day of national victory”.
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said he was confident Georgian Dream would win a commanding majority in the 150-seat parliament, calling for “maximum mobilisation” of supporters.