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Georgia's ruling party, Georgian Dream, claimed victory on Saturday in much-anticipated parliamentary elections, projecting to secure at least 90 seats — far more than the 76 needed to form government and appoint a prime minister.

The New York Times

With nearly all ballots counted, preliminary results from the country's election commission show the party polling at 54.2%. Voter turnout was higher than in previous elections, at around 59%.

Meanwhile, pro-EU opposition parties have refused to accept the early results, claiming that the elections were "stolen from the people" and filing complaints with national authorities.

Georgia Today

BBC News

This comes as two exit polls — by Edison and HarrisX — put the opposition ahead of the Georgian Dream, 51.9% to 40.9% and 48% to 42%, respectively. A third one, by Imedi TV, found that the ruling party would win with 56% of the votes.

Cases of physical altercations and alleged vote-buying were reported at multiple polling stations across the country, causing voting to be suspended at the Marneuli's 69th precint due to the violence.

Politico

The vote on Saturday was widely considered a referendum on whether the former Soviet nation should align with the West or Russia, even as the Georgian Dream maintains that EU membership is a goal for 2030.

The Washington Post

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That Georgian Dream may emerge as the winner is indeed an issue that opposition groups should feel disappointed due to their own poor performance this cycle. However, given that there were plenty of elections violations and that the ruling party is likely to fail to secure a constitutional majority, the opposition is now able to celebrate its own survival.

RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty

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Analysis: After Preliminary Election Results, Disappointment For Georgia's Opposition

Sputnik News

Sputnik News #

'Georgian Dream' Wins Despite Meddling Attempts – Hungarian FM

There's a 10% chance that Georgia will be part of the European Union in 2050, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Metaculus

Metaculus #

EU membership in 2050?

Georgia: Ruling Party Claims Election Victory, Opposition Disputes Results

Governance

Politics

Georgia

Russia

Belarus

Ukraine

Germany

Opposition should feel disappointed that Georgian Dream may emerge as the winner. However, given all elections violations reported and that the party is likely not to secure a constitutional majority, the opposition must celebrate its own survival.

Western powers sought to interfere in this election, but to no avail. The people of Georgia delivered a decisive message of support to and a clear mandate for a party that supports conservative values and, contrary to the smear campaigns, integration to Europe.

*** GETTY *** Davit Kachkachishvili/Anadolu via Getty Images

Georgia: Ruling Party Claims Election Victory, Opposition Disputes Results

Georgia: Ruling Party Claims Election Victory, Opposition Disputes Results

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Georgia: Ruling Party Claims Election Victory, Opposition Disputes Results

Georgia: Ruling Party Claims Election Victory, Opposition Disputes Results

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