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A political crisis has erupted in Georgia after recent elections, with the ruling Georgian Dream party celebrating a contentious victory. Opposition groups, which favor closer ties with the West, have declared the elections to be rigged and vowed to boycott the new parliament.

Georgia Dream, which has governed the nation for the past 12 years, reportedly secured more than 54 percent of the vote, while the four main opposition groups together received 37.5 percent. This result grants Georgian Dream 89 seats in Parliament, leaving the remaining 61 for the opposition. However, the opposition groups have refused to accept the election results, citing significant violations, though they have not provided evidence to support their claims.

European observers have criticized the election process, highlighting issues such as violence against opposition members, voter intimidation, and misuse of administrative resources. Zlatko Vujovic, head of the European Network of Election Monitoring Organizations, described the elections as "not good" and stressed that they did not meet the standards expected of an E.U. candidate country.

Opposition leaders have voiced strong objections, with Mamukha Khazaradze of Strong Georgia accusing Georgian Dream's informal leader Bidzina Ivanishvili of orchestrating a "K.G.B.-style special operation" to rig the elections. Elene Khostaria echoed these sentiments, suggesting Russian interference and framing the election as a geopolitical showdown between Russia and the West.

The situation recalls the aftermath of the last parliamentary elections, which also saw a prolonged standoff before a European Union-mediated agreement was reached. However, this time, the ruling party appears resolute in moving forward with its declared mandate from the people. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze dismissed allegations of election manipulation, asserting that the process was "flawlessly" administered.

Leaders from neighboring Armenia and Azerbaijan have extended congratulations to Georgian Dream, while Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who is set to visit Georgia, praised the election results despite his country holding the rotating E.U. presidency. The ongoing political turmoil signals further uncertainty about Georgia's future direction and its relations with both Russia and Western entities.