Recently, the results of Georgia's parliamentary elections have attracted great attention and controversy at home and abroad. The pro-Russian ruling party "Georgian Dream" won the election, but pro-Europeans and international observers questioned the fairness of the election and accused it of fraud. The European Union also responded quickly to the allegations of election irregularities, demanding a transparent and independent investigation.

EU calls for a thorough investigation of election fraud allegations

On October 27, Charles Michel, President of the European Council, publicly called on the Central Election Commission of Georgia to conduct a thorough investigation into "irregularities" in the election. He said on the social media platform X that all allegations of fraud must be investigated as quickly as possible, transparently and independently. He also stressed that the EU will closely monitor the progress of this election and will assess the future direction of Georgia's relations with the EU at the upcoming EU member state meeting in Budapest.

Michel's statement reflects the EU's deep concern about the results of the Georgian election, especially regarding the unfairness of the election process. He pointed out that this is not only to ensure the legitimacy of the election results, but also to maintain the foundation of Georgia's future relations with the EU. The EU has previously warned that whether Georgia can join the EU in the future will depend on its political transparency and rule of law.

Election results: Pro-Russian parties win, pro-Europeans lose

According to the statistics of the Central Election Commission of Georgia, the ruling party "Georgian Dream" won 54.08% of the votes in the election, and the pro-European opposition alliance won 37.58%. Although the "Georgian Dream" won 91 of the 150 seats in parliament, it failed to reach the absolute majority required to amend the constitution.

This result allowed the "Georgian Dream" to continue to govern, but it triggered strong opposition from the opposition. They believe that this victory means that Georgia will move closer to Russia and deviate from its long-term strategic goal of joining the EU. It is worth mentioning that Georgia has written the goal of joining the EU and NATO into the constitution since 2017, clearly stating that the country's foreign policy will be oriented towards integration into Europe.

Pro-European president condemns election as "Russian manipulation"

Georgia's pro-European president Salome Zourabichvili has expressed serious doubts about the election results, condemning the election as the result of "Russian manipulation". She pointed out that Georgia has become a victim of Russian interference and special operations, and described the election as an "alternative modern war" against the Georgian people. Although she did not elaborate on what the so-called "special operations" specifically refer to, her remarks show that concerns about Russian influence in Georgia remain serious.

Zurabichvili has always advocated Georgia's pro-European foreign policy, and her remarks represent the voices of many Georgian people. These people hope that the country can get rid of Russia's influence and get closer to the EU and NATO. However, the ruling party has a close relationship with Russia, which makes Georgia's political path face great uncertainty in the future.

The opposition called for demonstrations, and the former president expressed his position

Meanwhile, Mikheil Saakashvili, the imprisoned former president of Georgia, also expressed indignation at the election results. He called on the people to take to the streets and hold large-scale demonstrations to protest the victory of the ruling party and the destruction of the democratic system. Saakashvili said that the Georgian people are fighting for freedom and hope to show this determination to the world through demonstrations.

As the former leader of Georgia, Saakashvili has always been a representative of the pro-European faction. During his administration, Georgia has moved significantly closer to the West both economically and politically. However, his political status has been suppressed in recent years, and the opposition believes that this is part of the ruling party's cooperation with Russia. Saakashvili's call has been responded to by some pro-European supporters and may trigger street protests in the next few days.

International observers question the fairness of the election

After the election, international organizations also expressed concern about Georgia's election. Observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), NATO, and the European Union noted that the election was marred by unequal competition among candidates, political pressure, and tension. Preliminary assessments by observers indicate that there were significant unfairness in the election process, resulting in an inability to fully represent public opinion.

The assessments of these international organizations have heightened doubts about Georgia's political future. If the allegations are proven, they could undermine the legitimacy of the "Georgian Dream" and affect Georgia's credibility in the international community.

Georgia's future: a choice between the East and the West

Georgia has long been caught in a tug-of-war between the East and the West in foreign policy. On the one hand, many Georgian citizens and politicians hope that the country can integrate into the EU and NATO to ensure national security and economic development; on the other hand, Russia maintains its influence on Georgia through political, economic, and cultural influence.

The results of this election have once again put Georgia's future direction in the spotlight. If the ruling party continues to advance its engagement with Russia, Georgia's relations with the EU may cool further, and the goal of joining the EU will become more distant. If the pro-Europeans can gain more support in future political struggles, Georgia's foreign policy may tilt toward the West again.

Conclusion: Increasing uncertainty in Georgian politics

Georgia's parliamentary elections are not only the focus of domestic politics, but also the nerves of the whole of Europe. The close attention of the EU, NATO and other international organizations reflects Georgia's geopolitical importance. Regardless of the results of future investigations, this election has made Georgia's political landscape more complicated, and the game between the East and the West will continue to affect the country's future development direction.

As the EU deepens its investigation into allegations of election fraud, Georgia will face a difficult choice on how to balance its relations with Russia and the West. No matter which side ultimately dominates, the Georgian people's pursuit of democracy and freedom will continue to drive the country forward.