Tensions rise as parliamentary elections take place in Georgia

How the elections are taking place

These are the 11th parliamentary elections in Georgia and the 35th since the restoration of independence. This year, the elections are being held on a Saturday for the first time, rather than the traditional Sunday. The day before, Friday, was a public holiday.

Media reports indicate that a higher voter turnout is expected. There are reports of a rush at train stations as people travel from large cities to their registered voting locations.

Approximately 3.5 million voters are officially registered in Georgia, with 54% of them being women. A total of 3,100 polling stations are operational in Georgia, along with 67 stations abroad. Due to the ongoing war, polling stations have not been opened in Ukraine.

For the first time, the Georgian Parliament will be elected solely by a proportional system (based on party lists), rather than a mixed system. Additionally, electronic tools will be widely used for the first time, including voter verification and vote counting machines.

Main contenders

Based on the election results, 150 deputies will be elected to Parliament. Parties that receive at least 5% of the votes will qualify. The first preliminary results are expected to be announced approximately two hours after the polling stations close.

In Georgia, as a parliamentary republic, the party that receives the majority of votes will form the government and determine the country’s domestic and foreign policies for the next four years.

The main contest will be between opposition parties and the pro-Russian Georgian Dream, which has been in power for 12 years.

According to a survey by the British company SAVANTA, Georgian Dream has the support of 35% of the population. Four pro-European opposition blocs together could garner 52% of the vote. These include the Coalition for Changes (19%), Unity (based on the National Movement) (16%), Strong Georgia (9%), and Gakharia – For Georgia (8%).

"Decisive" elections and the role of the president

Many media outlets are calling the parliamentary elections in Georgia "decisive," as Georgians will effectively choose between a course toward the EU or Russia. Furthermore, the elections are taking place amid tensions with the US and the EU.

Analysts do not rule out the possibility of fraud and predict that the elections may end in protests and demonstrations.

The ruling Georgian Dream has already declared its victory and called on the opposition to "reconcile" with the results that the Central Election Commission will announce in the evening.

A significant role in the elections is played by the President of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili. She has openly supported the opposition and the European course for Georgia. Zourabichvili has accused the ruling party of changing its foreign policy direction and has proposed a unified action plan to the opposition.

Salome Zourabichvili has already voted in the elections and made a statement.

"I did not vote for someone; this time I voted for something. I voted for a new Georgia, for the Georgia I came to 22 years ago. I voted for the Georgia that all my parents prayed for, the Georgia that all of Georgia prays for. Tonight, we will all be winners. No one will be upset because Georgia will win," she stated.

Photo: the president of Georgia voted in the elections (ekhokavkaza.com)

Learn more in the article from RBC-Ukraine article.