Georgia ruling party leads parliament elections in divisive vote

Georgia’s ruling party is leading in parliamentary elections Saturday in a vote that could determine the country’s chances of joining the European Union and NATO.

The ruling Georgian Dream got almost 53%, the election commission said after counting over 72% of the total votes. Its four main rivals, which have pledged to support a charter drawn up by President Salome Zourabichvili to pass pro-EU reforms as part of a yearlong technocratic government, all passed the 5% threshold to get into parliament and jointly have over 38% as of 10:55 p.m local time.

Earlier exit polls had showed contrasting results, with the pro-government Imedi TV claiming that Georgian Dream is set to extend its 12 years in power. Meanwhile, opposition Mtavari TV said the opposition received the 80 mandates that give them the majority. “European Georgia is winning with 52% despite attempts to rig elections and without votes from the diaspora,” Zourabichvili said before the official figures were released. She has yet to comment on the official results.

The turnout at the elections was at over 50% as of 5 p.m., three hours before the vote closed, according to the election commission. The OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission will deliver its report Sunday assessing the environment and conditions of the elections.

Tensions have spiraled in the Caucasus republic of 4 million people after Georgian Dream passed legislation that the U.S. and the EU have labeled as “Kremlin-inspired.” The government ignored mass protests in May and adopted a “foreign agent” law that targeted nongovernmental organizations and independent media.

Washington responded by ordering a comprehensive review of U.S. cooperation with the government in Tbilisi and imposing visa restrictions on more than 60 Georgians for “undermining democracy.” Brussels halted EU membership negotiations with Georgia and urged the authorities to reverse course.

The ruling party last month passed legislation banning “LGBT propaganda” that outlaws portrayals of same-sex relationships in films, television and advertising, prevents the registration of same-sex marriages and makes it illegal for non-heterosexual couples to adopt children.

Zourabichvili has rallied opposition forces behind her charter after clashing repeatedly with Georgian Dream over its legislation. In September, she called the election a “turning point” that would “determine whether our future will be Europe or whether we’ll be under the influence of Russia.”

“I believe no one will be a loser in this vote, the country will win,” she said to reporters after voting on Saturday.

Ivanishvili has alleged that a “global war party” in the West is plotting to oust the government using NGOs and to push Georgia into a conflict with Russia. In a television interview this week, he reiterated threats to “get rid of” the principal opposition parties.

“The choice is simple: we either select a government that serves the people of Georgia, or we choose agents who push others’ interests,” he said to reporters on Saturday after his vote.

Observers, authorities and the opposition have reported violations at some polling stations, which are being investigated.

The four main opposition groups are Unity — To Save Georgia that includes members of the former United National Movement that ruled the country after the pro-Western Rose Revolution of 2003; the Coalition for Change that also includes ex-UNM leaders; the Strong Georgia alliance; and For Georgia, a party headed by ex-Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia.

A total of 18 parties and coalitions are on the ballot and must pass a 5% threshold of votes to be represented in the 150-seat parliament.

———

(With assistance from Chris Miller and Yuliya Fedorinova.)