Georgia protesters clash with police after PM suspends EU membership talks
Guardian1 day
Republic of Georgia's Ruling Party Claims Election Victory
Above: Georgian Dream Party supporters celebrate the exit poll results outside the new Georgian Dream headquarters on Oct. 26, 2024, in Tbilisi, Georgia. Image copyright: Diego Fedele/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
Georgian Pres. Salome Zourabichvili has called for protests outside parliament on Monday after the country's ruling party, Georgian Dream, secured 54% of the vote in Saturday's disputed parliamentary election.
The country's electoral commission said that the Georgian Dream had won 89 seats in the 150-seat parliament — far more than the 76 needed to form a government and appoint a prime minister.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
The opposition should feel disappointment that Georgian Dream may emerge as the winner. However, given the election violations reported, and the fact that the party is unlikely to secure a constitutional majority, the opposition must celebrate its own survival.
Establishment-critical narrative
Western powers sought to interfere in this election but to no avail. The people of Georgia delivered a decisive message of support and a clear mandate for a party that supports conservative values and, contrary to the smear campaigns, integration into Europe.