Early official results, with 70% of precincts counted, showed the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party had won 53% of the vote, the electoral commission said.
But a united block of pro-western opposition parties have also declared victory, claiming they had clinched a collective majority, setting the stage for a confrontation over the future of the Caucasus country.
“Right now, we need stability and friendly relations with Moscow,” said Elene Kiknadze, a 74-year-old woman. Voting for GD, she said, would also ensure Georgia would keep its “traditions”, referring to its conservative values, including opposition to rights for LGBTQ+ people. “Let Europe have their freedoms. We don’t need gay parades in this country,” she added.
Old people often vote against progress. To the detriment of the youth who have to live with the consequences.