Georgia’s parliament ignores protests to hold presidential election vote | Elections Update

Georgian lawmakers have set a date for a parliamentary vote to select a new president on December 14, despite opposition claims of election rigging. The ruling party, Georgian Dream, pushed through new rules in 2017 that critics say are designed to ensure a loyalist’s victory. The election of a new president is seen as a move to further solidify the ruling party’s power, which was declared the victor in last month’s elections that have been disputed by the opposition.
The current president, Salome Zourabichvili, has called protests against the election results and is seeking to annul them, while European election observers have noted instances of bribery, double voting, and violence during the balloting. Under the new process, the president will be selected by a 300-member electoral college that includes MPs and representatives from local and regional authorities, with the ruling party having control over the majority. The new president’s powers will also be reduced under constitutional reform, limiting their ability to conduct negotiations with foreign countries or declare martial law without prime minister approval.
The election is seen as a referendum on Georgia’s bid to join the European Union, with critics accusing Georgian Dream of becoming increasingly authoritarian and aligning with Moscow. The opposition’s refusal to participate in the new parliament highlights the ongoing political turmoil in Georgia following the disputed elections.

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