With the Georgian parliamentary elections around the corner, scheduled for October 26, 2024, the atmosphere is charged with anxiety and hope. The upcoming vote is often described as pivotal, with citizens perceiving it as not just another election but as a decisive moment determining whether Georgia aligns itself with Europe or returns to the orbit of Russia. For many, particularly the youth, this election symbolizes their opportunity to oversee their democratic future.
Shoghik Kurkchyan, 20, is about to cast her vote for the first time. The second-year banking and finance student at Ilia State University isn’t just interested in voting; she’s also registered as an election observer. "I want to help people vote fairly," she expressed, reflecting the concerns shared by many citizens about the integrity of the voting process.
According to Lado Napetvaridze, a researcher with considerable experience observing elections, this is the most significant election ever held in independent Georgia. "It’s not merely about choosing representatives; it’s about the soul of the nation," he stated. The anticipation is palpable with approximately 3.5 million Georgians eligible to vote, marking this election as the first fully proportional representation poll as Georgia faces serious challenges to its democratic values and orientation.
The stakes are unusually high as Georgia's ruling party, Georgian Dream, which has held power for over 12 years, faces significant opposition amid fears of autocratic regression. The election follows troubling years for democracy, with numerous allegations of voter suppression methods, previously observed during the local elections of 2020 and 2021. Reports of vote-buying and intimidation have caused widespread concern, resulting in many citizens volunteering to observe the election process, reflecting their determination to protect their democratic rights.
“I fear for my university, Ilia State, which is grappling with accreditation issues,” Kurkchyan explained, pointing out how the government’s restrictive policies are affecting educational institutions. Her concerns are echoed by many younger Georgians who are worried about what their future might look like under the Georgian Dream's continued leadership.
Nino Dolidze, head of the International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED), noted the growing enthusiasm among citizens who wish to participate not just as voters but as observers, signifying heightened civic engagement. Dolidze remarked, "It’s noticeable how many citizens not only want to vote but also want to oversee the elections. It's encouraging to see such interest." Volunteers from all walks of life are applying to monitor the election, creating diverse groups aimed at ensuring fair practices across the board.
This year’s elections indicate the changing dynamics among expatriates, with nearly 96,000 Georgians voting from abroad, significantly above figures from 2020. This remarkable increase highlights the community's commitment to shaping their home country's political future, even from distant shores. Despite the absence of polling stations for many overseas voters, civic initiatives are mobilizing resources to assist them on election day.
One shift this election brings is the introduction of electronic voting, aiming to streamline the process. An estimated 90% of voters will use electronic machines to cast their ballots. While this change is seen as advantageous for minimizing certain types of manipulation, concerns persist about the possibility of others casting votes for another person, or worse, having malicious actors compromise the system.
Anticipated results from this election will be released sooner than before, with the Central Election Commission expecting to share preliminary data on the evening after polls close. Still, observers remain wary; the atmosphere leading to the elections has been anything but calm, with rising tensions accentuated by anti-Western rhetoric from the ruling party.
Georgian Dream’s campaign efforts have stirred controversy. Political adverts juxtapose images of destroyed regions of Ukraine with beautiful Georgian landscapes, aiming to persuade voters of the incumbent party as the only shield against chaos. The strategy includes coordinated messages painting opposition politicians as pawns of foreign influences, shifting public perception toward fear-based campaign tactics.
Many within civil society express their outrage at employing symbols of war-torn Ukraine to campaign for peace. Activist Giorgi Kikonishvili was frank about this tactic: "They might as well showcase images of dead children to push their agenda, it's exploitative!" This sentiment has been echoed not just by local voices but by the Ukrainian government itself, which condemned the campaign’s tactics for being offensive and offensive.
To top it off, Bidzina Ivanishvili, the architect behind the ruling party, has been accused of steering Georgia toward autocratic policies and abandoning democratic principles. While his party insists on its intention to align with the European Union, it simultaneously adopts legislative measures reminiscent of the Kremlin's repression. This includes newly passed homophobic laws and legislation vilifying civil society organizations receiving foreign funding.
The upcoming elections give opposition parties, united against Georgian Dream, their shot at reclaiming democratic governance. While the ruling party is expected to garner significant support, voter mobilization efforts from the opposition aim to create sturdy coalitions, hoping to combine votes and secure legislative ground away from Georgian Dream.
Former President Mikheil Saakashvili, currently imprisoned but with supporters believing him a political prisoner, has also sounded alarms. He described Georgia's current political atmosphere as dangerously close to the Kremlin's control. "If Georgia is lost, it would signify a huge blow to the West and its values," Saakashvili emphasized. His warnings come amid widespread suspicions about the government’s plans to manipulate election results.
While Saakashvili remains vocally opposed to the current leadership, many question his endorsement among standard voters. Across Georgia's cities, citizens seek to navigate their political sentiments, balancing between the stirring memories of Soviet strength and the aspirations for European integration and modernity.
Support for EU integration is consistently high, with approximately 80% favoring membership. Still, as debates become increasingly polarized amid fears of returning to Russian influence, many are struck with uncertainty. Concerns about democracy’s deterioration juxtaposed with fears of war and conflict create a dynamic, emotionally charged environment leading up to the elections.
Renata Skardziute-Kereselidze from the Georgian Institute of Politics pointed out the unique position Georgia currently finds itself within its complex past. “It’s not just polarization, but the current government’s threats to democratically elected bodies and media organizations are alarming,” she stated. The looming tasks for whoever gains power are monumental, encompassing the responsibility for the country's democratic principles and relations with the West or the Russian sphere of influence.
With both opposition and ruling parties advocating for closer ties with the EU, the path to reform remains precarious. The next few days could irrevocably shape Georgia's future. A transition away from Ivanishvili’s oligarchic grip may hinge on the electorate’s resolve to reflect their aspirations through the ballot box. The election may define the state of democracy, echoing the sentiments across Georgia's streets as citizens ready themselves to decide between foreign alignment or returning to narratives of past authority.
This election is more than just political rhetoric; it encapsulates the struggles and hopes of millions for liberty, prosperity, and the identity of Georgia itself. Only time will tell if the momentum for change is strong enough to break free from the past and set course for a hopeful, cooperative future with Europe.
