Georgia begins a "tense" general election.

On October 26th, voters in Georgia began casting their ballots in a general election considered crucial for the country's future integration into Europe.

Georgia begins a tense general election – a confrontation between pro-Western coalitions and groups leaning closer to Russia. (Source: Getty Images)

This parliamentary election is witnessing a confrontation between a pro-Western opposition coalition – an unprecedented alliance in history – and the ruling Georgian Dream party, which tends to move closer to Russia.

Having come to power in 2012, the Georgian Dream party initially pursued a pro-Western agenda. But in the last two years, the party has reversed course. This move prompted Brussels to freeze Georgia's EU accession process, while Washington imposed sanctions on dozens of the country's officials.

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze believes that his country's relations with the West will normalize after the Russia-Ukraine conflict ends.

Meanwhile, Brussels warned that the October 26 vote would be crucial for the fate of Georgia's fledgling democracy and its long-held aspirations to become an EU member.

Opinion polls suggest that opposition parties could win enough votes to form a coalition government to replace the ruling Georgian Dream party, controlled by powerful billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili. This group includes Georgia's main opposition force, the United National Movement (UNM) of imprisoned former President Mikheil Saakashvili, and Akhali, a newly formed party headed by former UNM leaders.

Meanwhile, the current government says it wants to win an absolute majority in parliament so it can pass a constitutional ban on the pro-Western opposition.

Regarding Russia, on October 10th, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree expanding the conditions for visa-free entry for all Georgian citizens. While the previous version of the decree maintained visa requirements for Georgians entering the Russian Federation for work or stays exceeding 90 days, including for study purposes, the new decree allows visa-free entry for all Georgian citizens without exception.

"Georgia's already divided opposition forces have formed an unprecedented united front against the Georgian Dream party," said Gela Vasadze, an analyst at the Center for Strategic Analysis in Georgia. "If the ruling party attempts to maintain power regardless of the election results, there is a risk of chaos."

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/georgia-bat-dau-cuoc-tong-tuyen-cu-cang-thang-cuoc-doi-dau-giua-lien-minh-than-phuong-tay-va-nhom-xich-lai-gan-nga-291456.html