The Fraudulent Elections in Georgia
October 26, 2024, will be remembered as a crucial date in Georgia’s history. On this day, the most controversial elections in the country’s history took place. The ruling pro-Russia party, ‘Georgian Dream’, supposedly won 54% of the vote against the pro-EU opposition parties.
As a foreigner who has been to Georgia many times, also recently, when I spent the entire month of September in both the capital city and the countryside and spoke to many local people, these results make no sense to me.
You can see EU and NATO flags everywhere you go around the capital city of Tbilisi. So much graffiti with the EU symbol is virtually everywhere. Many restaurants have the stickers "Russia is an occupier" or "Russia is a terrorist state". Every person I ever talked to in Georgia absolutely hates Russia and wants nothing to do with it.
The 'Dream' party, which has a disgustingly cynical name, wishes to be close to Russia, which occupies 20% of Georgia. Indeed, Russia is Georgia's number one enemy; it seeks to destroy the Georgian people's actual dream, which is to be part of the West.
So, how could this party possibly have such a majority?
It doesn’t quite add up. Much of the pro-EU opposition has already stated that these elections were rigged, which seems plausible considering Russia's deep involvement in Georgian politics. Russia’s opposition to Georgia joining the EU is well-known, as that is one of the last things Putin desires. Given that Putin invaded Georgia in 2008, he effectively controls the country through his proxies in the so-called 'Dream' party.
Georgia has one of the most robust pro-liberty think tanks and pro-freedom universities in the world. The most famous example is “The Free University of Tbilisi”, founded by the late Kakha Bendukidze, who served as the country’s finance minister during those capitalistic reforms of the early 2000s. The Georgian youth, who have shown remarkable courage in protesting against the "Foreign Agents" law, which aimed to suppress these pro-liberty think tanks, are a beacon of hope. Their unwavering desire for freedom from Russian influence was evident when they bravely stood in front of the Parliament, adorned with EU and NATO flags, despite facing a harsh police crackdown.
The Georgian youth have a sense that, unfortunately, is now very rare nowadays among younger generations around the world (especially in America) and has the ability to tell right from wrong, good from evil. They know that Russia is evil, and they want absolutely nothing to do with it. They won't go down so easily, I'm sure of that.
These elections are a matter of "to be or not to be" for many Georgians. Many of my Georgian friends have told me that if this 'Dream' party wins, they will have to consider leaving the country.
It's truly awful to see the potential of Georgia, one of the most beautiful countries in the world, being compromised. The people of Georgia, among the most wonderful in the world, are being let down by their own country's appeasement of Russia. I stand in solidarity with the people of Georgia in their fight for freedom from Russian oppression. It's a tragic situation, and I hope the opposition parties can somehow steer Georgia away from this dangerous path.
I will continue to follow the evolving situation in Georgia closely.
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