The Georgian opposition is planning a massive protest in the capital, Tbilisi, against the official results of the parliamentary election, which have been marred by voting irregularities and allegations of Russian meddling. The governing party, Georgian Dream, was declared victorious in the election, which has been widely criticized for its lack of transparency and fairness. The opposition claims that the election results were manipulated to favor the governing party, and that the country has fallen victim to a “Russian special operation” aimed at derailing its plan to join the European Union.
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili, a fierce critic of the governing party, has questioned the official results and called on Georgians to rally on the main street of Tbilisi on Monday night to protest against what she calls a “total falsification, a total stealing of your votes”. The call raises the prospect of more political turmoil in the South Caucasus nation. The European Union has already suspended Georgia’s membership application process due to a Russian-style “foreign influence law” passed in June, and many Georgians view Saturday’s vote as a pivotal referendum on the opportunity to join the EU.
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili (Image via Getty)
The electoral process was marked by a bitter fight for votes, allegations of a smear campaign, and instances of intimidation, vote buying, double voting, and physical violence. European electoral observers said the election took place in a “divisive” environment marked by intimidation and electoral violations, particularly in rural areas. Georgian Dream, the governing party, used “anti-Western and hostile rhetoric” and promoted Russian misinformation during the campaign.
The party’s victory has been lauded by some, including Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban, who is set to visit Georgia on Monday and Tuesday and meet with the Prime Minister. However, the EU has called on the governing party to “swiftly, transparently and independently investigate” the electoral irregularities and to demonstrate its “firm commitment” to the EU. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has also urged Georgia’s political leaders to “respect the rule of law, repeal legislation that undermines fundamental freedoms, address deficiencies in the electoral process, and move Georgia toward its Euro-Atlantic future”. The future of democracy in Georgia remains uncertain, as the country grapples with the fallout from the disputed election.
