The ruling party of Georgia is poised to surpass the pro-Western opposition in a high-profile legislative election, as indicated by partial results that reflect a new obstacle for the Caucasus nation’s aspirations to join the European Union.
This election in Georgia, located south of Russia, has been characterized by political analysts as a critical decision regarding the country’s European future versus closer ties with Russia.
With 70% of precincts reporting, the central election commission announced that the Georgian Dream party is in the lead with 53%, while the opposing coalition has garnered 38.28%.
“Georgian Dream has achieved a substantial majority” in the upcoming parliament, stated the ruling party’s executive secretary, Mamuka Mdinaradze, to the press.
Post-voting exit polls released indicated conflicting leads for both the ruling party and the opposition among the four million residents of the country.
Read more: What’s at stake in Georgia’s election?
Pro-opposition President Salome Zurabishvili celebrated a triumph for “European Georgia” after one exit poll suggested the opposition was ahead.
Conversely, after a poll indicated the government had prevailed, Hungary’s nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban congratulated Georgian Dream, claiming on social media that it had achieved an “overwhelming victory.”
Both parties are declaring victory, attributing their claims to opposing exit polls.
Earlier, both the ruling and opposition parties in Georgia proclaimed victory in a parliamentary election that could determine whether the former Soviet republic shifts towards the West or reverts to Russia in light of the war in Ukraine.
Tina Bokuchava, leader of the opposition United National Movement, asserted that the ruling Georgian Dream party faced defeat in a pivotal parliamentary election and should acknowledge their loss.
United National Movement leader Tina Bokuchava previously urged Georgian Dream to accept their defeat following the release of exit polls.
Georgian Dream claimed success based on an exit poll from a pro-government television station, while the opposition cited their own exit polls to assert victory.
Watch: Georgians in Ireland vote in decisive election
Bokuchava commented: “Most people will take Bidzina Ivanishvili’s assertions of a government majority with considerable skepticism.”
“While we await the final official results, the defeated party should graciously concede and step aside.”
One survey indicated considerable support for the ruling party, which has recently tilted towards pro-Russian sentiments, while two others predicted a majority for the opposition.
An exit poll by the pro-Georgian Dream Imedi TV channel projected the ruling party securing 56% of the votes.
However, surveys by the pro-opposition Formula and Mtavari Arkhi channels indicated significant gains for pro-Western opposition parties, suggesting they could potentially form a majority in the 150-seat parliament.
Bidzina Ivanishvili, the billionaire founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party, attended a party event alongside Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze shortly after exit polls were released.
All three TV channels displayed candidates they supported celebrating their respective victories.
Bidzina Ivanishvili declared: “It is quite rare to witness the same party achieving such success in challenging times – this reflects the exceptional capabilities of the Georgian people,” just moments after polls closed.
“I assure you, our country will experience significant achievements over the next four years,” Ivanishvili added.
Today, voters participated in an election crucial for determining whether Georgia maintains its current pro-Russian leadership or advances towards EU membership.
In power since 2012, Georgian Dream has shifted over the past two years towards pro-Russian rhetoric, attracting criticism from Western allies for its perceived authoritarian tendencies.
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili—once an ally of the ruling party but now a staunch critic, with mostly ceremonial duties—alongside independent domestic election monitors, has accused Georgian Dream of extensive vote-buying and other electoral irregularities leading up to the election.
Georgian Dream has not yet provided a response to such allegations.
Pro-European demonstrations have taken place in Georgia in recent days.
“European Georgia is winning with 52% despite attempts to manipulate the elections and without counting diaspora votes,” Zourabichvili stated on X.
The exit poll from Formula indicated that while the ruling party might be the largest, the four primary opposition factions combined could secure 83 seats.
However, with deep divisions within Georgia’s four main opposition blocs, it remains uncertain whether they can collaborate effectively if they succeed in denying Georgian Dream a governing majority.
