Georgia thrown into political turmoil after disputed parliamentary elections
Georgia's pro-Russia ruling party came out ahead in parliamentary elections, the electoral commission announced, as leading opposition figures called the result "fraudulent" amid accusations of ballot-stuffing and voter intimidation. The victory gives Georgian Dream enough seats to govern but falls short of the supermajority that would have allowed it to ban opposition parties.
Georgia was plunged into political turmoil on Sunday after the ruling party declared victory in parliamentary elections decried by the opposition as "falsified".
The European Union had warned that Saturday's vote, seen as a crucial test of democracy in the Caucasus country, would determine Tbilisi's chances of joining the bloc.
The result sets the stage for a political showdown that analysts warn could derail Georgia's European aspirations.
Read moreAt odds with the EU, Georgia cosies up to Russia
Official tallies from more than 99 percent of precincts showed the ruling Georgian Dream party winning 54.08 percent of the vote, while a union of four pro-Western opposition alliances garnered 37.58 percent, according to central election commission chair Giorgi Kalandarishvili.
"The elections took place in a calm and free environment," he added.
"Georgian Dream will not stay in power," he said.
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