Georgian voters to choose between bitterly divided political positions

Georgia's parliamentary election will see voters choose between two starkly opposing visions for the country.

The incumbent Georgian Dream party is aiming for a fourth term in office, promising stability and peace.

The opposition argues that the price of such policies is subordination to neighboring Russia and instead advocates for a future aligned with the European Union.

The former Soviet state fought a short but bruising war with Russia in 2008, as Moscow ordered its troops to support two breakaway regions.

Today, Abkhazia and South Ossetia remain beyond the control of the Georgian government and are recognized as independent states by Russia and a handful of other countries.

The founder of Georgian Dream, Bidzina Ivanishvili, who previously led a successful business career in Russia, claims his party has ensured that Georgia has avoided being turned into a pawn in regional geopolitics.

He has also expressed a desire to ban the leading opposition party, the United National Movement, which he blames for the 2008 war. Its best-known figure, former Prime Minister Mikheil Saakashvili, is currently serving a jail term for abuse of power.

The government has enacted tough legislation aimed at preventing foreign influence, which the opposition argues restricts freedom of speech and the work of non-governmental organizations. As a result, the European Union halted membership talks with Georgia. Nevertheless, Georgia's constitution commits any government to push for EU membership.

Georgia's president, Salome Zourabichvili, has openly backed the opposition, who have agreed to unite behind a temporary technocratic government if they can secure a majority.

They argue that Georgia can only safeguard its future by looking west to the European Union and accuse Georgian Dream of pursuing a pro-Russian agenda.