In October 2024, Georgia had their parliamentary election which led to mass protests and large-scale aggression towards the elected officials.
The ruling pro-Russian Georgian Dream party was re-elected, winning 54 per cent of the votes, but faced allegations of fraud, surrounding voter intimidation, ballot stuffing, and irregularities in the electronic voting systems.
Georgian protestors and international observers, including EU officials, objected to this outcome. They criticized the election, saying it lacked fairness and transparency, and some went as far as to claim that there was manipulation of the votes backed by Russian interests.
The protests were partly due to the increasing geopolitical tensions of Georgia, with political actors wanting to move closer to Russia whilst the population are seeking a better relationship with the European Union.
The protests were widespread. Tbilisi and other large cities saw protests arguing for a redo on the election, but this time with international supervision. The government reacted aggressively, with arrests and uses of force against the protestors.
Claims of Russian interference have not only happened in Georgia. In Moldova the President has had to face numerous occasions where Russian disinformation has been spread, in efforts to destabilise the pro-European party in government.
Russia has consistently seen to be attempting to sway the political outcome of former soviet states to try and maintain influence and counter western integration.
Georgian civilians support joining the EU, but due to this election those chances are starting to look smaller.
The EU consistently emphasises the need for democratic reform and the numerous allegations of fraud as well as unrest in the country signals a regression in Georgia’s efforts to this reform.
There is strong grassroots support for EU integration, and they are not shying away even after the corrupt election. This may be enough to compel the government to reassess its stance due to the international pressure.
European leaders have warned that this election could be the beginning of Georgia moving back to a strong relationship with Russia. If this was to happen, they say it would be the end of a possible relationship with the EU.
The current government is striving for that close relationship with Russia, but the determination of the public is making Georgia’s future unsure.
“Georgians Protest Invasion Of Ukraine 2” by AkakiBalanchivadze is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.