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Georgian Parliamentary Elections Characterized by Unevenness and Tension
Widespread tensions, political polarization, and numerous concerns about fairness marked the recent parliamentary elections in Georgia. While voters had a choice of 18 parties and lists, international election observers, including the OSCE and the Council of Europe, criticized the conditions as unequal and prone to manipulation. In particular, the controversial Foreign Influence Transparency Act, introduced shortly before the elections, exacerbated the conflict and significantly impaired the independence of civil society.
Georgian polling station officials assist a voter in casting her ballot. / Picture: © OSCE/Katya Andrusz, ID 579373, (CC BY-ND 4.0)
Georgia's political climate has been highly polarized for years, with the ruling Georgian Dream party facing increasing criticism in recent election cycles. In particular, the Transparency Law, which purports to regulate foreign influence on organizations in Georgia, has been used as a political tool to suppress civil society groups and intimidate opposition figures. Against the…
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