Georgians will vote in watershed elections that are widely regarded as critical for the country’s relationship with the EU.
The legislative elections pitted the incumbent party against pro-Western opposition groups.
Brussels has warned that the referendum will determine Tbilisi’s chances of joining the EU.
The potential coalition grouping includes Georgia’s biggest opposition force, jailed ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili’s United National Movement (UNM), as well as Akhali, a newly created party spearheaded by former UNM leaders.
“Georgia’s traditionally fractured opposition forces have managed to forge an unprecedented united front against the Georgian Dream,” said analyst Gela Vasadze at Georgia’s Strategic Analysis Centre.
They have joined other minor parties in signing a pro-European policy agenda advocating broad electoral, judicial, and law enforcement reforms.
However, the outcome of the vote is far from certain, since more than a quarter of respondents told the pollster they were either unsure or refused to identify their favorite political force.
Voting will commence at 0400 GMT and end at 1600 GMT, with exit polls provided upon completion. International observers from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe will oversee the elections, which will be conducted using a proportional party list system.
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