Georgian Election Stakes Rise Amid EU Membership Hopes
Georgians are voting today in a pivotal election widely seen as a choice between European integration and Russian influence. President Salome Zourabichvili expressed optimism, hoping the vote aligns with Georgians’ desire for a European future. The Georgian Dream party, led by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, aims to maintain power after 12 years of rule. The stakes are high, with pro-European opposition groups striving for change.
Georgian Dream warns that an opposition win could trigger conflict with Russia, which occupies 20% of Georgia’s territory since a brief 2008 war. Billboards across Georgia pair images of Ukrainian devastation with the slogan “No to war! Choose peace.” Georgian Dream’s message, framing the election as a choice between peace and war, resonates with rural voters. However, opposition leaders aim to reverse restrictive policies and revive Georgia’s EU bid, which was stalled when the EU accused the government of democratic backsliding linked to a controversial foreign agent law.
About 3.5 million Georgians are eligible to vote until polls close at 16:00 GMT. Georgian Dream is expected to lead, but if four main opposition groups each secure at least 5% of the vote, they could combine to form a coalition. President Zourabichvili supports an opposition-led coalition government that would reverse anti-EU policies and schedule new elections.
Georgian Dream’s stance has drawn mixed reactions. In the industrial town of Kaspi, a 41-year-old woman said she disliked the Georgian Dream but feared the opposition would bring instability. Another resident, Lali, 68, felt that while the opposition might help Georgia’s European ambitions, it could also risk renewed conflict. As the polls close, the Georgian election stakes hold the country’s future between long standing European aspirations and cautious relations with Russia.
