Thousands of Georgians have flooded the streets of Tbilisi, voicing their anger over the results of a recent parliamentary election that has ignited a political crisis in the country. The rally, led by Georgia’s pro-European opposition parties, has garnered wide attention, as the opposition challenges the victory claimed by the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party, citing voter intimidation, irregularities, and alleged election interference backed by Russia. The demonstrations have laid bare the divisions within Georgia and its geopolitical crossroads between Western Europe and Russian influence.
The Georgian Dream (GD) party, which has held power since 2012, was declared the winner of Saturday’s parliamentary elections by the national electoral commission, securing 54% of the vote and 89 seats in parliament. In stark contrast, exit polls conducted by international organizations suggested a lower vote count, around 40%, for GD, sparking widespread accusations of ballot tampering and election fraud. Reports of voter intimidation, coercion, and misuse of public resources further fueled claims of an “undemocratic” election process, with some protesters dubbing the results as an outright theft of their democratic rights.
On Sunday, Georgia’s president, Salome Zourabichvili, whose role is largely ceremonial but symbolically significant, publicly denounced the results, aligning herself with the opposition. Addressing the gathered crowd, she warned of foreign interference, particularly from Russia, accusing the Kremlin of orchestrating a “special operation” intended to draw Georgia back into its orbit. She further alleged that the election bore the hallmarks of Russian intelligence meddling, sparking a diplomatic standoff as the Kremlin quickly dismissed these claims.
At the protest, several leaders from the pro-European opposition took the stage, calling for an international investigation into the election irregularities. They demanded new elections under the supervision of an impartial international commission. The opposition has declared its refusal to take seats in parliament, setting up a potentially protracted political crisis. “We cannot sit in a parliament born out of intimidation, fraud, and fear,” said Nika Melia, an opposition leader, addressing the protesters. This refusal to recognize the current parliament is a significant escalation that risks destabilizing Georgia’s political landscape in the coming months.
Many young, urban Georgians, who favor European Union integration, have become the backbone of the pro-Western movement. “We want the world to know that we chose Europe, not Russia,” said Kato Bochorishvili, a 21-year-old economics student attending the rally. Her sentiment reflects the desire of many Georgian youth who feel that their aspirations are being thwarted by GD’s more conservative, anti-Western stance. The election outcome also dashed hopes for a coalition of opposition parties that would work toward Georgia’s EU membership.
The international response has been swift and critical, with calls from Europe and the United States for a thorough investigation. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned “the misuse of public resources, vote-buying, and voter intimidation,” and warned that these actions create an “uneven playing field.” While expressing concern, Western nations have stopped short of declaring the election invalid. Instead, they’ve called for Georgia to take measures to safeguard its democratic processes and to ensure fair treatment of all parties.
In a move likely to add fuel to the fire, Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, known for his own anti-European stance and close ties to Moscow, was the first Western leader to congratulate GD on its “overwhelming victory.” Orbán’s unexpected visit to Tbilisi and his open support for GD has heightened tensions, with European leaders warning that it could be seen as an endorsement of anti-democratic actions. He was spotted at the Marriott Hotel near the protest site, a symbolic distance away from the heated demonstrations just outside the parliament.
The accusations of Russian interference echo long-standing fears among Georgians about Kremlin influence. Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for the Russian government, labeled the allegations as “baseless,” claiming the election results reflect the will of the Georgian people. He criticized Western interference in Georgian politics, suggesting that the U.S. and EU have their own interests in the region and are attempting to destabilize it by encouraging opposition movements.
Analysts suggest that GD’s shift toward Moscow may be a strategy to cement its control, as the party’s leader, billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, has ties to Russia. Ivanishvili and GD have consistently emphasized conservative values and opposition to Western policies, often depicting the pro-European opposition as agents of Western conflict, potentially dragging Georgia into a situation similar to Ukraine’s ongoing conflict with Russia.
With the demonstrators still rallying in Tbilisi, there is a pervasive sense of frustration over what many see as a lack of firm support from Western allies. The EU and U.S. have both condemned the irregularities in the election but have been hesitant to outright reject the results or advocate for a boycott, a cautious stance that has left some protesters disillusioned. “Without clear support from Europe, we’re left alone in our fight for a European future,” said Anton Shekhovtsov, director of the Centre for Democratic Integrity in Vienna, summarizing the predicament of the pro-Western Georgians.
In an unexpected turn, Germany’s foreign ministry released a statement criticizing “significant irregularities” observed before and during the vote, while France called for an investigation. Although European leaders have signaled concern, their lack of explicit condemnation has led to skepticism about Europe’s willingness to back Georgia’s opposition in its struggle for democracy and closer ties to the West.
The GD party’s continued support among rural and conservative Georgian communities underscores the country’s divided political landscape. Industrial regions and economically underdeveloped areas have long been GD’s base, with many citizens in these areas less influenced by the idea of European integration. “For those of us in these areas, the promises of Europe can seem like a distant dream,” said Luka Khachidze, a 42-year-old worker from the region of Imereti. GD’s rhetoric on preserving traditional values resonates in these communities, where the opposition’s pro-European stance is viewed with skepticism, even fear, as a path that might lead to instability.
The future remains uncertain for the Georgian opposition. While many demonstrators have pledged to continue rallying until new elections are called, recent history suggests this could be a lengthy and grueling process. Earlier this year, tens of thousands protested against a “foreign agents” bill, seen by critics as a move to silence dissent. Although that wave of protests ultimately faded under police crackdowns, opposition leaders hope this time will be different.
For some, the challenge of confronting an entrenched government is daunting. “They will never give up power voluntarily. They’ll turn this country into a dictatorship,” said Irma Khoperia, a 55-year-old artist, who echoed calls for Western intervention. Khoperia and others are urging Western governments to apply sanctions on GD and its leaders, particularly Ivanishvili. “We need the West to stand by our side and speak out against this vote theft,” she added.
Others remain cautiously optimistic, driven by a hope for change. “It’s difficult, but I remain hopeful – otherwise, I wouldn’t be here,” said Tekle Makashvili, a PhD student attending the protest. “We will keep fighting until this country is free again.”
