Georgia holds ‘crucial’ vote amid suspended EU integration

Today, Georgians are casting ballots in a vote described as “crucial” by both the ruling Georgian Dream party and the opposition, though for differing reasons, as EU integration remains stalled due to recent policies, rhetoric, and laws enacted by the current administration.

The Georgian Dream party aims to secure a constitutional majority—at least 113 of 150 parliamentary seats—stating its goal to “protect the country from war,” restrict opposition parties, implement anti-LGBT laws, “strengthen” the church’s role, and “prepare” the nation for possible reintegration scenarios.

Meanwhile, the opposition and foreign allies express concern over what they call Georgian Dream’s “pro-Russian stance,” asserting that the ruling party’s actions are steering the country away from its European path.

The election is being monitored by over 1,700 observers from 76 international organizations, more than 23,000 local observers from 111 groups, and 2,800 representatives from 199 media outlets, across 3,111 polling stations nationwide and 67 abroad.