Georgia's ruling Dream party wins majority with 70% of precincts counted

Georgia's central electoral commission said Saturday (Oct 26) that the ruling Georgian Dream party has won 53 per cent of the vote in the parliamentary election, with votes in70 per cent of precincts counted.

Earlier, the opposition had claimed victory as exit polls showed conflicting results.

Dream party'sexecutive secretary, Mamuka Mdinaradze, told reporters that the party had secured a solid majority.

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"As the results released by central election commission show, Georgian Dream has secured a solid majority."

The polls were seen as a watershed moment for the country, with results expected to decide whether Tbilisi would drift away from pro-Russia foreign policy or remain at loggerheads with theEuropean Union.

Exit polls

Earlier, exit polls showed rival sides winning the elections. Imedi TV channel, a pro-Dream channel, showed the party would win 56 per cent of votes. On the other hand, pro-opposition Formula and Mtavari Arkhi channels claimed that pro-West parties would be able to form a majority in the 150-seat parliament.

Both sides claimed victory based on these exit polls.

Ivanishvili, the ruling party's reclusive billionaire founder and onetime prime minister, was quick to thank voters for the 'victory'.

"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 said just minutes after polls closed.

On the other hand, the opposition too declared its victory, calling uponIvanishvili to concede defeat.

"We believe the Georgian public has voted clearly for a future at the heart of Europe and no amount of posturing will change that," declaredTina Bokuchava, leader of the United National Movement party of former president Mikheil Saakashvili.

What next?

With the Dream party looking all set to form the government, the country is expected to stick to its pro-Russia policy. Since the invasion of Ukraine began two years ago, Tbilisi has refrained from criticising Moscow.

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Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who is seen as a pro-Russia figure in Europe, alsocongratulated the Georgian Dream for an "overwhelming victory".

It also means that Georgia won't become a member of the EU as long as the anti-West party remains in power.

(With inputs from agencies)