Georgia election: calls for protests as ruling pro-Russia party declared winner

 

In the recent parliamentary election in Georgia, the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party has been declared the winner, securing 54% of the vote with over 99% of precincts counted. This outcome has sparked significant backlash from the opposition, which has accused GD of orchestrating a "constitutional coup." Leaders of the opposition coalition, including the United National Movement, have rejected the election results, claiming widespread voter fraud and intimidation. As tensions rise, the opposition is calling for protests, setting the stage for a potential political crisis in a country that has long aspired to join the European Union. The election results not only threaten Georgia's pro-Western ambitions but also highlight the increasing authoritarianism of the GD party, which has shifted the nation closer to Russia in recent years.