Tbilisi, Georgia – Georgia will hold its presidential election on December 14, 2024, under an indirect voting system, according to a statement from the country’s parliament. This election is expected to solidify the ruling party’s control over the government amid a period of political unrest in the country.
The former Soviet republic, located on the Black Sea coast, has been facing increasing political turmoil. The ruling party, Georgian Dream, has been in power since 2012 and has been accused by critics of shifting towards a pro-Russian, authoritarian regime. The party won the parliamentary elections in October, but the opposition rejected the results, claiming the elections were rigged. This has led to questions about the legitimacy of the new parliament, with protests taking place and further tensions between the government and pro-Western President Salome Zurabishvili, who severed ties with the ruling party.
In response to the political crisis, the Georgian parliament decided to hold indirect presidential elections on December 14, 2024. Under the new system, which was implemented following a constitutional change in 2017, Georgia’s next president will be chosen by an electoral college, rather than through a popular vote.
With the ruling party holding a dominant position in the legislature, the outcome of the election is expected to favor a candidate loyal to the Georgian Dream party, marking the end of Salome Zurabishvili’s tenure as president.
The parliament has also announced that the inauguration of the new president will take place on December 29, 2024.
