The article discusses the results of the Georgian parliamentary election and the implications for the country’s democracy. The ruling party, Georgian Dream, won the election with around 40-42% of the vote, despite a separate exit survey showing them to be around 10 points behind.
Laura Thornton, an expert on Georgia, is quoted in the article as saying that there are several reasons why Georgians may have voted for Georgian Dream. One reason is the dominance of pro-government news channels like Imedi, which many people outside Tbilisi rely on for information. This means that many people do not get exposed to opposition or independent news.
Another reason, Thornton suggests, is the fact that most people in Georgia work for the state and fear losing their jobs if they don’t vote for the government. This is a tradition and culture in Georgia, where state employees often feel pressure to support the ruling party.
The third reason, according to Thornton, is economic factors. Many Georgians depend on trade with Russia, and Georgian Dream has promised to maintain good relations with Moscow. The party has also provided economic benefits such as infrastructure projects and extra pensions to voters before the election.
Thornton also discusses how the war in Ukraine played a significant role in the election campaign, with Georgian Dream using fear-mongering tactics to scare Georgians into voting for them. She notes that this was a “calculated bet” by the party, which believes that Russia is winning the war and that the international community will not be able to act.
Finally, Thornton expresses concern about how Georgian Dream’s actions may affect Georgia’s relations with Ukraine in the future. She notes that both countries have been victims of Russian aggression and that it would be logical for them to be friends and allies. However, she is uncertain about what the future holds, depending on whether Georgian Dream truly changes its behavior and actions.
Overall, the article suggests that the election results are a cause for concern for democracy in Georgia, and that the country’s relations with Ukraine may suffer as a result of Georgian Dream’s victory.