Georgia’s Controversial Election Explained: Was It Rigged?

Russia or the EU? That was the choice for Georgians in their elections last weekend. But with allegations of election fraud, explosive exit polls, and looming protests, both Georgian Dream and the opposition are claiming victory. With the EU now putting Georgia's accession on hold, is a Western future still on the table? Dive into the drama, controversies, and stakes of this pivotal election.

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[AnaMaria]

The whole problem is that GD party keeps winning because opposition party is the same as previous government, which people don’t want to return. So people keep voting for GD, unless we make new properly shaped high-valued new political parties; which are neither GD or current opposition (which consists of the one party just divided into different names), current situation will not change. It’s sad that people are hoping for a change for better; while all these politicians do nothing.

In Moldova, just over 50% of people voted in favor of the EU, while in Georgia, surveys indicate support at around 71% to 80%. The issue is that Georgia’s government has shifted rapidly from being somewhat democratic to increasingly authoritarian, adopting a pro-Russian, anti-Western stance in the last six months. Despite this, the Georgian public remains largely supportive of integration with the West. The government's true stance has been evident since the onset of the war in Ukraine, as it has leaned towards Russia without explicitly backing Ukraine.

[From_Heller]

This is sadly becoming formulaic for most ex-soviet countries

[ursdaniel]

Lets see If Georgia's diaspora will save the country future, as it did with Moldova referendum! Full support of our orthodox Brothers from România!

[sneedandfeed]

I was there it was clearly rigged... there is footage of it too.

[bakarandguladze]

as a Georgian.
YES. IT WAS RIGGED!
BIG FUCKIN TIME

[josejorgefarias]

We can't have EU or Nato in Georgia, Georgia should be Georgia with its Origin. Being a member doesn't mean EU or Nato should run Georgia, This issues should not be part of their elections. We can't have EU or Nato in Georgias elections.Georgia should be runned by natives following their origins and Cultures, no Nato or EU.

[erharddammrath]

I wonder why the Western media (including this one) are so selective and one-sided. It's enough to drive you to despair!

[Chandra_Reddy]

It's very simple that they learned lesson from Ukraine

[Peeoto]

Since when did Georgia became a country in Europe?

Last time I checked, arnd 4 years ago, we still call it an asian/Caucasus country

[miguellopes]

Given the Russian invasion of 2008, what were the pro russian parties' arguments to vote for them?

[VillaDish]

Great video! You explained perfectly how chaotic the day was. The visuals were amazing too!

[prosenlund]

I think the main point is in the closing remarks. Georgia has territorial disputes and can't join any time soon.
The younger generation knows the goal but right now it's patience, keep discussing politics and gather strength rather than force the issue.
Be pragmatic and live to fight another day.

[vonhiggs]

Please don’t manipulate. Even the most pro-opposition exit polls showed 40% support for rulling party, which is huge. Younger generation’s and people living in big cities mostly voted for oppositin with 100% correlation with exit polls. But in regions, small cities and villages there is a strong support for the goverment. There were some incidents, but the international observers were claiming the election process to be transparent and calm. Only after publishing of the results, people started to complain. Generally people of Georgia don’t like the Georgian Dream party, but the oppostion is strongly discredited, so people chose the less worst option.

[ikaika]

I am from Georgia and no one voted for them in big cities as well as abroad !In the villages they were distributing the money buying votes and have 90% of votes which is madness !

[MártonSzigeti]

From Hungary, It's sad to see that Georgia is having a government like we have.

[purplelibraryguy]

In places where West-vs-Russia stuff is playing out, the question isn't "was the election rigged?", the question is "which side rigged the election harder?"

[kenosabi]

I mean apparently being in the EU isn't all it's cracked up to be per the British population.

[bonumvmalum]

More like "Georgian Nightmare". The Krumblin will eventually go the way of the USSR, so I hope the people able to free themselves then.

[boldisordorin]

Georgians I hope you will get through this and succeed in the end 🇲🇩❤🇬🇪