Georgian Election Results Spark Controversy and Unrest

Georgia's ruling party, Georgian Dream (GD), claimed victory in the recent parliamentary elections, securing over 53% of the vote according to official results. This outcome is a setback for pro-Western opposition parties, who have accused GD of election fraud and called the results a 'constitutional coup', setting the stage for possible political unrest. The elections were seen as pivotal for Georgia's aspirations towards EU membership, which are now uncertain due to GD's closer ties with Russia. Opposition parties dispute the integrity of the vote, citing voter intimidation and manipulation, while exit polls showed conflicting results with some favoring the opposition. Bidzina Ivanishvili, GD's founder, celebrated the victory, emphasizing the party's success under challenging circumstances. International observers and organizations are expected to comment on the election's fairness, which remains under scrutiny by both domestic and foreign entities.