What's happened
As Georgia approaches its parliamentary elections on October 26, tensions rise between the ruling Georgian Dream party and Western allies. The elections are seen as pivotal for the country's future alignment, with fears of a shift towards Russia amid increasing anti-Western sentiment.
Why it matters
What the papers say
The New York Times highlights the deteriorating relationship between Georgia and the West, noting that the ruling party's anti-Western rhetoric has intensified, particularly after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In contrast, the South China Morning Post emphasizes the public's desire for a European future, with President Zourabichvili urging voters to reject Georgian Dream. Politico reports on the international community's concerns regarding Georgia's democratic decline and the implications of the foreign agent law, which has drawn condemnation from Western leaders. Together, these sources illustrate the complex dynamics at play as Georgia approaches a critical electoral moment.
How we got here
Georgia has historically sought closer ties with the West, but relations have soured under the Georgian Dream party, especially following the passage of a controversial foreign agent law. The upcoming elections are viewed as a critical juncture for the nation's political direction.
More on these topics
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Georgia is a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the south by Turkey and Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaija
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The European Union is a political and economic union of 27 member states that are located primarily in Europe. Its members have a combined area of 4,233,255.3 km² and an estimated total population of about 447 million.
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Salome Zourabichvili is a French–Georgian politician and former diplomat who currently serves as the fifth President of Georgia, in office since December 2018.