1/9 Georgian Dream or Nightmare? The future of Georgia hangs in the balance with today's elections, amid concerns that the russian-backed "Georgian Dream" party could rig the election 
2/9 Many observers worry that the ruling Georgian Dream party will do whatever it takes to maintain its grip on power. It has abandoned the liberal values it once promoted when it came to power 12 years ago and has significantly undermined Georgia's efforts to join the EU.
3/9 The party's founder, the elusive oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili, has warned that he may imprison his political opponents following the election and prohibit the main opposition party.
4/9 This year, Georgian Dream passed a Kremlin-inspired “foreign agent” law that critics argue is intended to silence watchdog organizations that hold the government accountable.
5/9 For many, Ivanishvili’s rhetoric echoes a troubling past that Georgians want to leave behind. The anti-Western stance of Georgian Dream and the foreign agent law closely resemble Putin's suppression of political opposition in russia.
6/9 In a speech last month, Ivanishvili broke a longstanding taboo in Georgian society by stating that Georgia should apologize for the 2008 war with russia, a conflict for which many Georgians hold Moscow responsible. A pathetic traitor!
7/9 There are concerns that Ivanishvili will attempt to hold onto power following an election defeat. If Georgian Dream were to win or maintain control despite a loss, it would likely trigger significant protests, and justifiably so.
8/9 The stakes are incredibly high: the way Georgians vote today and the government's reaction will decide whether the country continues on a path toward Europe or shifts closer to Belarus.
9/9 Source:
CNN - As Georgia votes, fears of a stolen election and a return to the Kremlin’s orbit loom large
CNN - As Georgia votes, fears of a stolen election and a return to the Kremlin’s orbit loom large
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