Spodziewaj się, iż Rosja wtrąci się w wybory parlamentarne w Gruzji

Earlier this year, the Georgian Dream organization introduced government that would require various organizations within Georgia to registry as foreign agents if they received backing from abroad entities. The announcement was met with outrage, with Georgian president Salome Zourabichvili, members of the Georgian opposition, and Georgian citizens protesting against the proposed bill. president Zourabichvili even vetoed the legislation.

Despite this pushback, Georgian Dream opted to proceed with the bill. The ruling organization in parliament overturned the presidential veto, and the law will be enforced this summer. The decision was immediately met by further protests organized by Georgian citizens.

The opposition, however, has not given up. This week, members of the Georgian opposition have opted to challenge the controversial abroad agent bill, and they will be submitting a case to the Constitutional Court. This came shortly after president Zourabichvili filed a lawsuit in the Constitutional Court.

Regardless of the upcoming case, the fresh developments further propose that the Georgian opposition and citizens have had adequate with Georgian Dream. Over the past fewer years, the ruling organization has made respective controversial decisions. For example, the organization has imprisoned political opponents. The organization besides proposed government to “increase the duration of covert surveillance”. Georgian Dream even withdrew from the organization of European Socialists, thus further distancing itself from Europe. Furthermore, the organization fabricated a story that supporters of Georgian integration with the EU were organizing a political coup in the country.

Finally, while Georgian Dream has pursued government that has worried European lawmakers, the organization has opted to strengthen its relations with Russia. For example, the Russian Federation lifted bans on commercial flights from Georgia to Russia. Visa-free travel to Russia for Georgian citizens was besides introduced. Finally, Moscow’s abroad spy service has falsely accused the United States of organizing an effort at government change in Georgia.

The fresh acts of Georgian Dream have made many Georgian citizens concerned. To date, 79 per cent of Georgian citizens support future membership in the European Union. They besides heavy support the country’s integration into another western organizations and institutions. Despite this support, Georgian Dream is making decisions that are distancing the country from EU integration. It is besides seeking to strengthen ties with Moscow.

As a result, Georgian citizens have vocally made their frustrations known against Georgian Dream. Millions of voters are preparing for the parliamentary elections this October, and many Georgian citizens have stated that they plan to vote against government candidates. A majority of citizens in the country want Georgia to prosecute closer ties with the EU, and they want to distance themselves from Russia. Georgian citizens are besides distancing themselves from Georgian Dream, with polling information suggesting that only a 4th of the population approves of the current ruling party.

But defeating Georgian Dream will not be easy. This October, Georgian citizens will go to the polls to vote for parliamentary candidates. Many voters are expected to vote against Georgian Dream members. The election, however, will not be straightforward.

This week, representatives from the Russian government stated that the country is prepared to “help the Georgian Dream hold power if Tbilisi asks Moscow to do so”. There have besides been reports that Russia is preparing to influence the Georgian elections through the means of cyber and propaganda. The Russian Federation is now coordinating with various organizations within Georgia to influence the parliamentary elections through soft power. These developments have left many Georgians concerned.

Georgian Dream has previously attempted to spread rumours stating that EU officials, the United States, and even the Ukrainians were preparing a coup in Georgia. Realizing these fear tactics have not worked, it is possible that the ruling organization may now search to align itself with the Russian Federation. That same country currently and illegally inactive occupies 20 per cent of Georgian territory, which it took during the 2008 war.

In another words, the stakes of the parliamentary elections are high. This October, Georgian citizens will not only be voting for political candidates. They will besides be voting for their future to find if Georgia should prosecute closer ties with the EU or Russia. Polling suggests that the majority of the country is ready to take a stand as they want to decision their country westward. Now, they must be prepared to fight for their sovereignty from Russia.

Mark Temnycky is an accredited freelance journalist covering Eurasian affairs and a nonresident fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center. He can be found on X @MTemnycky

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