Georgia's Ruling Party Declared Election Winner

The recent parliamentary elections in Georgia have sparked controversy as President Salome Zourabichvili and opposition parties accuse the ruling Georgian Dream party, led by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, of electoral fraud. Official results indicate the Georgian Dream party won 54.08% of the vote, while opposition coalitions secured around 38%, leading to claims of a 'stolen election' and calls for protests. Boris Johnson and other international observers have condemned the elections, citing widespread irregularities including vote buying and ballot stuffing. Opposition leaders, including Nika Gvaramia, have declared that they will not accept their parliamentary mandates, labeling the outcome a 'constitutional coup'. The election results raise concerns about Georgia's future alignment with the West, as the pro-European opposition fears closer ties with Russia under Ivanishvili's leadership. Voter turnout was reported at around 59%, higher than in previous elections, but the legitimacy of the process remains in question.