Georgia's ruling Georgian Dream party received more than 54 per cent of the vote in a parliamentary election on Saturday, with more than 99 per cent&nbsp;of precincts counted, the electoral commission said on Sunday.

The results are a blow to pro-Western Georgians, who had cast the election as a choice between a ruling party that has deepened ties with Russia, and an opposition that had hoped to fast-track integration with the European Union.

Several local and international monitoring organisations, including the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), are expected to comment on the results on Sunday.

Opposition parties said on Saturday that they do not recognise the results, with one opposition leader calling the results "a constitutional coup".

Also read |&nbsp;<a bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:83,&quot;y&quot;:231,&quot;w&quot;:532,&quot;h&quot;:16,&quot;abs_x&quot;:116,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2068}" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-is-bidzina-ivanishvili-the-reclusive-billionaire-behind-georgias-ruling-party-771062">Who is Bidzina Ivanishvili? The reclusive billionaire behind Georgia's ruling party</a>

But Georgian Dream's reclusive billionaire founder Bidzina Ivanishvili, who had campaigned heavily on keeping Georgia out of the war in Ukraine, claimed success on Saturday night, with his party putting in its strongest performance since 2012 on the back of huge margins of up to 90 per cent in some rural areas.

"It is a rare case in the world that the same party achieves such success in such a difficult situation - this is a good indicator of the talent of the Georgian people," Ivanishvili told cheering supporters on Saturday night.

Ivanishvili's Georgian Dream says it wants Georgia to join the European Union, though Brussels says the country's membership application is frozen over what it says is Georgian Dream's authoritarian tendencies.

Also read |&nbsp;<a bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:88,&quot;y&quot;:296,&quot;w&quot;:526,&quot;h&quot;:16,&quot;abs_x&quot;:121,&quot;abs_y&quot;:1983}" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/georgias-ruling-dream-party-wins-majority-with-70-of-precincts-counted-771016">Georgia's ruling Dream party wins majority with 70% of precincts counted</a>

One local monitoring organisation called for the results to be annulled, based on reports of voter intimidation and vote buying, but it did not immediately provide evidence of large-scale falsification.

Last week, Moldova voted narrowly to approve its European Union accession in a vote that Moldovan officials said was marred by Russian interference.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION&nbsp;audience. 
&nbsp;

Georgia's ruling Georgian Dream party received more than 54 per cent of the vote in a parliamentary election on Saturday, with more than 99 per cent of precincts counted, the electoral commission said on Sunday.

Georgia's ruling Georgian Dream party received more than 54 per cent of the vote in a parliamentary election on Saturday, with more than 99 per cent of precincts counted, the electoral commission said on Sunday. The results are a blow to pro-Western Georgians, who had cast the election as a choice between a ruling party that has deepened ties with Russia, and an opposition that had hoped to fast-track integration with the European Union. Several local and international monitoring organisations, including the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), are expected to comment on the results on Sunday. Opposition parties said on Saturday that they do not recognise the results, with one opposition leader calling the results "a constitutional coup". Also read | Who is Bidzina Ivanishvili? The reclusive billionaire behind Georgia's ruling party But Georgian Dream's reclusive billionaire founder Bidzina Ivanishvili, who had campaigned heavily on keeping Georgia out of the war in Ukraine, claimed success on Saturday night, with his party putting in its strongest performance since 2012 on the back of huge margins of up to 90 per cent in some rural areas. "It is a rare case in the world that the same party achieves such success in such a difficult situation - this is a good indicator of the talent of the Georgian people," Ivanishvili told cheering supporters on Saturday night. Ivanishvili's Georgian Dream says it wants Georgia to join the European Union, though Brussels says the country's membership application is frozen over what it says is Georgian Dream's authoritarian tendencies. Also read | Georgia's ruling Dream party wins majority with 70% of precincts counted One local monitoring organisation called for the results to be annulled, based on reports of voter intimidation and vote buying, but it did not immediately provide evidence of large-scale falsification. Last week, Moldova voted narrowly to approve its European Union accession in a vote that Moldovan officials said was marred by Russian interference. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Georgia's pro-Russian ruling party secures majority in parliament, opposition alleges election fraud

Georgia's ruling Georgian Dream party on Saturday (Oct 26) claimed victory in the country's parliamentary elections. Behind the party is Bidzina Ivanishvili, a reclusive billionaire who runs the country from behind the scenes. Here's all you need to know about him.

"I assure you, our country will achieve great success in the next four years," he told his supporters after claiming victory.

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:135,&quot;w&quot;:723,&quot;h&quot;:26,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:1822}">Who is Ivanishvili?</h2>

Bidzina Ivanishvili, the 68-year-old oligarch, is Georgia's richest man and founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party.

Ivanishvili entered Georgian politics 12 years ago. Back then, he promised to transform the country's democracy, reports news agency AFP. However, critics argue that he has driven the nation into isolation, "undermining democracy" and aligning closer with Russia.

Also read |&nbsp;<a bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:88,&quot;y&quot;:296,&quot;w&quot;:526,&quot;h&quot;:16,&quot;abs_x&quot;:121,&quot;abs_y&quot;:1983}" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/georgias-ruling-dream-party-wins-majority-with-70-of-precincts-counted-771016">Georgia's ruling Dream party wins majority with 70% of precincts counted</a>

In recent weeks, Ivanishvili has intensified anti-Western rhetoric, accusing opposition parties of conspiring with a so-called "global war party" and trying to draw Georgia into conflict with Russia.&nbsp;

Born into poverty in western Georgia, Ivanishvili amassed his $4.9 billion fortune in Russia during the chaotic 1990s. He briefly served as prime minister in 2012 — serving for over one year.

According to Transparency International's Georgian branch, Ivanishvili has "near absolute power"&nbsp;without formal accountability.&nbsp;

Georgian Dream has "managed to gradually capture all branches of power and independent institutions in the country," said the group in May.

"The arrangement allows Ivanishvili to have near absolute power without any formal accountability," it added.

The oligarch wields influence behind the scenes, often through loyal associates — such as personal bodyguards, ex-CEOs of his companies, personal assistants and family doctors &nbsp;— who fill key government roles "with law enforcement and security services being the key".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/georgia-goes-to-polls-as-voters-decide-path-in-europe-770992">Georgia votes in high stakes election as voters decide between West and Russia</a>

Ivanishvili's lifestyle is as extravagant as his influence is extensive. His mansion in Tbilisi features a priceless collection of contemporary paintings, a modern art collection, exotic animals, and baobab trees transported from Africa.&nbsp;

His holdings extend far beyond Georgia, with luxury properties in Paris and New York under offshore entities. Ivanishvili's Co-Investment Fund, based in Luxembourg, operates projects across Georgia, from luxury hotels to industrial factories.

(With inputs from agencies)

Georgia's ruling Georgian Dream party on Saturday (Oct 26) claimed victory in the country's parliamentary elections. Behind the party is Bidzina Ivanishvili, a reclusive billionaire who runs the country from behind the scenes.

Georgia's ruling Georgian Dream party on Saturday (Oct 26) claimed victory in the country's parliamentary elections. Behind the party is Bidzina Ivanishvili, a reclusive billionaire who runs the country from behind the scenes. Here's all you need to know about him. "I assure you, our country will achieve great success in the next four years," he told his supporters after claiming victory. Who is Ivanishvili? Bidzina Ivanishvili, the 68-year-old oligarch, is Georgia's richest man and founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party. Ivanishvili entered Georgian politics 12 years ago. Back then, he promised to transform the country's democracy, reports news agency AFP. However, critics argue that he has driven the nation into isolation, "undermining democracy" and aligning closer with Russia. Also read | Georgia's ruling Dream party wins majority with 70% of precincts counted In recent weeks, Ivanishvili has intensified anti-Western rhetoric, accusing opposition parties of conspiring with a so-called "global war party" and trying to draw Georgia into conflict with Russia. Born into poverty in western Georgia, Ivanishvili amassed his $4.9 billion fortune in Russia during the chaotic 1990s. He briefly served as prime minister in 2012 — serving for over one year. According to Transparency International's Georgian branch, Ivanishvili has "near absolute power" without formal accountability. Georgian Dream has "managed to gradually capture all branches of power and independent institutions in the country," said the group in May. "The arrangement allows Ivanishvili to have near absolute power without any formal accountability," it added. The oligarch wields influence behind the scenes, often through loyal associates — such as personal bodyguards, ex-CEOs of his companies, personal assistants and family doctors — who fill key government roles "with law enforcement and security services being the key". Also read | Georgia votes in high stakes election as voters decide between West and Russia Ivanishvili's lifestyle is as extravagant as his influence is extensive. His mansion in Tbilisi features a priceless collection of contemporary paintings, a modern art collection, exotic animals, and baobab trees transported from Africa. His holdings extend far beyond Georgia, with luxury properties in Paris and New York under offshore entities. Ivanishvili's Co-Investment Fund, based in Luxembourg, operates projects across Georgia, from luxury hotels to industrial factories. (With inputs from agencies)

Who is Bidzina Ivanishvili? The reclusive billionaire behind Georgia's ruling party

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Georgia's pro-Russian ruling party secures majority in parliament, opposition alleges election fraud

Who is Bidzina Ivanishvili? The reclusive billionaire behind Georgia's ruling party