Election in Georgia

Pro-European opposition ahead according to exit polls

The representatives of the Coalition for Change (pictured), who claimed victory after the first exit polls were published, do not want to recognize the "falsified results".(Bild: Associated Press)

Georgia is facing a crucial test after its parliamentary elections: both the Russia-friendly government camp and the pro-European opposition - the latter spoke of "falsified results" - claimed victory on Saturday evening.

 

The election commission announced that after counting the votes in 70 percent of the constituencies, the ruling Georgian Dream party had achieved 53 percent and the opposition alliance 38.28 percent. The opposition rejected the official partial results as "falsified".

"We do not recognize the falsified results of the stolen elections," said the leader of the largest opposition party, United National Movement (UNM), Tina Bokushava, on Sunday night (local time).

The leader of the opposition party United National Movement, Tina Bokushava (center), spoke of a victory for the opposition alliance.(Bild: AFP)

Georgian dream declares itself the winner
Billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili declared the pro-Russian ruling party Georgian Dream, which he founded, the winner on Saturday after the polls closed. However, pro-European opposition parties and the president Salome Zurabishvili, who is close to them, declared that the opposition had won an overall parliamentary majority in the Caucasus republic.

The leader of the opposition party United National Movement, Bokuchava, told the news agency Reuters that Georgian Dream had lost the election. "We will wait for the official final result, but the loser should have the courage to admit defeat and say goodbye." Georgia has opted for a future in Europe.

Ruling party wants to ban opposition
 Democratic principles are also at stake in the parliamentary elections. The Georgian Dream party, which has been in power for twelve years, wants to strengthen relations with Moscow. Its founder, the billionaire and former Prime Minister Ivanishvili, had announced that if his party won the election, it would ban opposition parties. These parties are seeking to join the European Union.

According to pro-European President Salome Zurabishvili, there was violence during the parliamentary elections. "I would like to draw attention to the deeply disturbing incidents of violence at various polling stations," she stated in online services on Saturday.

Videos had previously been circulated on internet networks showing violent confrontations at several polling stations. There are signs of a lively voter turnout.