Georgians voted on Saturday in elections that will determine the fledgling democracy’s European aspirations, amid growing concerns over the ruling party’s pro-Russian drift.
The parliamentary election pits an unprecedented union of pro-Western opposition forces against the ruling Georgian Dream accused of stifling democracy and turning towards Russia.
Brussels has warned that the vote will determine European Union-candidate Tbilisi’s chances of joining the bloc.
Opinion polls in the country of four million indicate opposition parties could get enough votes to form a coalition to supplant Georgian Dream, controlled by powerful billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili.
Pro-Western President Salome Zurabishvili said the vote would “determine Georgia’s future”, while the chair of the United National Movement opposition party, Tina Bokuchava, promised a “great day of national victory”.
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said he was confident Georgian Dream would win a commanding majority in the 150-seat parliament, calling for “maximum mobilisation” of supporters.
When people think of good food they think of pasta in Italy, sushi in Japan or tacos in Mexico. No matter where travellers go around the world most people
Readiness to support Ukraine “until it wins” has fallen sharply across western Europe at a critical time for the country, a survey suggests, as Donald Trump
Home NewsBig move by Putin as Russia plans to attack another European country after Ukraine, accuses it of…, US to
Zelensky says Ukraine could temporarily cede territory in exchange for Nato membershipFor free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign u