Georgia’s Ruling Party Wins Local Elections Amidst Protests

Kokcha News Agency: Georgia’s ruling party has claimed victory in the local elections as more votes are counted. Simultaneously, tens of thousands of government opponents gathered, and police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters attempting to enter the presidential palace.

The state news agency, yesterday’s election (October 3) was the first electoral test for the ruling “Georgian Dream” party since the controversial parliamentary elections in 2024. The announcement of those election results triggered unrest in Georgia, and the European Union suspended consideration of the country’s application to join the EU.

AFP wrote that with nearly 75% of polling stations reporting, the Central Election Commission announced that the ruling Georgian Dream party had won a majority in Georgian municipal councils with over 80% of the vote.

Prior to the demonstrations, officials emphasized a tough approach towards those seeking a “revolution.”

Tens of thousands of people gathered in Freedom Square in Tbilisi last night, waving Georgian and European Union flags, and then marched towards the presidential palace, attempting to enter the grounds. At that moment, law enforcement resorted to tear gas and water cannons. Protesters also created barricades and set them on fire.

Irakli Kobakhidze, the Prime Minister of Georgia, told reporters: “Anyone involved in this violent act will be prosecuted.”

He added that the government had thwarted “an attempted coup planned by foreign intelligence services.”

The head of the Georgian government also accused EU officials of supporting “an attempt to overthrow the legal order” and, while holding the EU ambassador responsible, called on him to condemn the unrest.

On the other hand, the Georgian Interior Ministry announced that it had launched an investigation into “calls for violent change of the Georgian legal order or subversion of the government” and had arrested five protest leaders.

Alexandre Darakvelidze, the Deputy Minister of Interior, told reporters that the five face sentences of up to nine years in prison.

The results of a recent survey by the “Institute for Social Studies and Analysis” show that the popularity of the ruling party is about 36%, and the opposition also has 54% support.

The European Union had previously sanctioned several officials of the Georgian Dream party for suppressing protesters.

The EU has warned that it may suspend the visa-free travel rights of Georgians to the European Union unless the government improves the rule of law and protects fundamental rights.