Georgia’s Opposition disputes result in crucial vote which could decide the country’s role in Europe

Georgia's pivotal election results disputed by opposition amid fears of falling back into Russia's orbit, impacting EU membership bid.

Georgia's Opposition disputed the results of its election Saturday (October 26, 2024) after officials said the ruling party led the crucial vote, which could decide whether the country pivots to embrace the West or falls back into Russia's orbit.

Many Georgians viewed the vote as a make-or-break referendum on the opportunity to join the European Union. Initial figures suggest turnout is the highest since the ruling Georgian Dream party was first elected in 2012.

Georgia’s Central Election Commission said Georgian Dream won 52.99% with the majority of votes counted. Not all paper ballots and votes cast by Georgians abroad have been counted, and it is unclear when a final result could be announced.

Georgian Dream stood against four main Opposition groups, which indicated they did not accept the results. The opposition initially declared victory shortly after polls closed at 8 p.m. local time (16.00 GMT).

If Georgian Dream's win is confirmed, the party will have a parliamentary majority, which will stir fears about the country’s bid for EU membership. The party has become increasingly authoritarian, adopting laws that are similar to those used by Russia to crack down on freedom of speech. After one such law was passed earlier this year, Brussels suspended Georgia’s EU membership process.

Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of Georgian Dream, claimed victory almost immediately after polls closed and said, “It is rare in the world for the same party to achieve such success in such a difficult situation.”

Tina Bokuchava, the chair of the United National Movement Opposition party, accused the CEC of carrying out Mr. Ivanishvili's “dirty order” and said he “stole the victory from the Georgian people and thereby stole the European future.”