The ruling 'Georgian Dream' party has become increasingly authoritarian, adopting laws which are similar to those used by Russia to crack down on freedom of speech. After one such law was passed earlier this year, Brussels suspended Georgia’s EU membership process.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00Georgia's ruling party is leading the official results of Saturday's parliamentary election,
00:07a crucial vote which could decide the country's future in Europe.
00:12The ruling Georgian Dream party's leaders and supporters began celebrations in Tbilisi
00:17late on Saturday.
00:19However, their victory could be premature, as not all paper ballots and votes cast by
00:25Georgians abroad have been counted.
00:29If Georgian Dream wins a parliamentary majority, it will stoke fears about the country's bid
00:33for EU membership, which was put on hold earlier this year by Brussels after the ruling party
00:39passed laws cracking down on freedom of speech.
00:43Georgia's opposition disputed results of the vote, saying they were falsified.
00:49If this is true, it remains to be seen, but results could decide whether the country pivots
00:53to embrace the West or falls back into Russia's orbit.
Recommended
Bulgarians head to the polls to vote in seventh general election in three years
euronews (in English)
Georgia's government adopts anti-LGBTQ law, raising concerns ahead of elections
euronews (in English)