Georgia's election commission announces ruling party majority: Video
In a closely monitored legislative election in Georgia on Saturday, October 26 partial results indicate that the ruling Georgian Dream party is poised to secure a significant victory.
This potentially hinders the country's aspirations for European Union membership.
Georgia's election commission announced the country's ruling party is leading with 52.99 per cent of the vote in the parliamentary elections, according to partial results.
As of now, with 70 per cent of precincts reporting, Georgian Dream leads with 53 per cent of the vote, while the opposition coalition trails at 38.28 per cent.
Mamuka Mdinaradze, executive secretary of Georgian Dream, announced that the party has "secured a solid majority" in the new parliament.
The election is seen as a pivotal moment for Georgia, framed as a choice between a European future and closer ties to Moscow.
The European Union has been critical of Georgian Dream's recent policies, warning that the election results will influence the country's EU accession prospects.
Pro-opposition President Salome Zurabishvili celebrated an exit poll indicating a lead for the opposition, calling it a victory for "European Georgia." However, after another poll suggested a government win, Hungary's nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban congratulated the Georgian Dream on its "overwhelming victory."
