As reported by the head of the CEC, Giorgi Kalandarishvili, after counting data from 2206 precincts (70.91% of the total), the ruling party 'Georgian Dream', which passed the law on 'foreign agents' and 'banning LGBT propaganda', is leading with 52.99% of the votes. The 'Coalition for Change' is gaining 11.2%, the opposition 'Unity' ('National Movement', 'Strategy Aghmashenebeli', 'European Georgia') — 9.83%. 'Strong Georgia' ('Lelo', 'For the People', 'Freedom Square', 'Citizens') — 9.02%, 'Gakharia — For Georgia' — 8.22%, 'Girchi' (Iago Khvichia) — 3.22%, 'Alliance of Patriots' / 'Alt-info' — 2.53%, Labor Party — 0.75%;
Immediately after the polls closed, pro-government and opposition media published exit poll data showing diametrically opposite voting results. According to the survey by the 'Imedi' TV company, the ruling party 'Georgian Dream' receives more than 56% of the votes, gaining a majority in parliament. The exit poll of the opposition 'Main Channel' showed that 'Georgian Dream' receives only 42%, while various opposition forces combined — about 50%.
Representatives of the ruling party have already begun celebrating victory, with fireworks launched at the 'Georgian Dream' rally in Tbilisi. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze declared a 'confident victory', noting that he does not yet know whether it is a simple or constitutional majority.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban congratulated 'Georgian Dream' on their victory on social network X even before the official announcement of the voting results.
The opposition, in turn, expresses confidence that the ruling party has lost the majority. In particular, Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili stated that opposition forces gained 52%.
The elections are characterized by high turnout, according to the CEC, turnout exceeded 58%, which is more than in the 2020 elections.
This vote is called the most important in the country's history, as it will determine not only the composition of the next parliament but also the European future of the country.
'Georgian Dream' urged voters to choose between peace and war with Russia, which, it is claimed, the opposition is trying to drag Georgia into under the guidance of external forces. The opposition accuses the current Georgian authorities of increasing international isolation of the country and pro-Kremlin policies.
During the voting, fights occurred between supporters of 'Georgian Dream' and the opposition, and ballot stuffing was recorded at one precinct, which was closed, and a criminal case was initiated.
Photo: LRT