Georgians are casting their votes in a critical election that could end 12 years of increasingly authoritarian rule and set the nation on a clear path toward joining the European Union. Many see this vote as the most important since Georgia declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. “I voted for a new Georgia,” said pro-Western President Salome Zourabichvili, who is backing opposition efforts to change the political direction of the country.
The ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party, however, is expected to secure the largest share of the vote, though four opposition groups hope to form a coalition to remove GD from power and revive Georgia’s EU accession process. With around 80% of Georgians reportedly favoring EU membership, the stakes are high in this South Caucasus nation, which fought a five-day war with Russia in 2008.
The EU granted Georgia candidate status in December, but soon after froze progress over concerns about democratic backsliding, particularly regarding a Russian-style “foreign agents” law requiring organizations to register if they receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad.
As about 3.5 million Georgians head to the polls, the opposition has framed the election as a choice between Europe and Russia, while GD has depicted it as a matter of “peace or war.” The political landscape remains polarized under the influence of GD’s founder, billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili. Should GD win a strong majority, the party has hinted at banning major opposition parties, including the United National Movement (UNM).
Polling suggests GD might win around a third of the vote, but with opinion polls seen as unreliable, opposition leaders aim to surpass the 5% vote threshold needed to secure seats in the 150-member parliament. Zourabichvili has endorsed an opposition coalition government, stating it would bring an end to “one-party rule.” If elected, the coalition has pledged to form a technocratic government to reverse anti-EU laws and hold snap elections.
Opposition leader Tina Bokuchava of the UNM claims that credible polling shows opposition parties in the lead. However, GD has warned voters that an opposition victory would lead to war with Russia—a message that has resonated with some outside urban centers. Despite widespread condemnation, GD’s campaign billboards showing war-ravaged Ukrainian cities beside peaceful Georgian landscapes have influenced some voters.
In rural areas, where economic challenges are acute, some voters express ambivalence. In the town of Kaspi, one voter admitted, “I don’t like Georgian Dream, but I hate the National Movement—at least with GD, we’ll be at peace.” Lali, a 68-year-old resident, said she supports Europe but fears that the opposition could bring war as well.
The election has drawn concerns over voting fairness. The International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy reported issues such as voter intimidation and disinformation campaigns. One voter, Aleksandre, told reporters he had been threatened with job loss by a local GD representative if he didn’t vote for the ruling party.
GD insists it has improved election transparency, highlighting a new electronic vote-counting system. “For 12 years, the opposition has questioned our government’s legitimacy. But the system is secure and anonymous,” argued Maka Bochorishvili, GD’s EU integration committee chair. Skeptics, however, fear the changes were implemented too quickly, raising doubts over the true privacy of voters’ choices.
Anti-opposition sentiments have also intensified since the passage of the “foreign agents” law, leading to mass protests and harassment of civil society leaders. Vano Chkhikvadze of the Civil Society Foundation recalled how his family faced threats after Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze labeled him a “state traitor.”
As election day proceeds, the EU has warned that GD’s actions reflect a “shift towards authoritarianism.” Regardless of the outcome, a peaceful transfer of power may be challenging. Split images on party billboards show Ukrainian devastation beside peaceful Georgian streets, with the message, “No to war! Choose peace.” GD accuses the opposition of risking a new conflict with Russia, which still occupies 20% of Georgian territory after their 2008 war, while it positions itself as the party of stability and peace.