Georgia’s opposition disputes result of crucial vote which could decide the country’s role in Europe

Associated Press

TBILISI, Georgia (AP) — Georgia’s opposition disputed the results of its crucial election vote Saturday which could decide the country’s role in Europe. The Central Election Commission in the South Caucasus country says the ruling Georgian Dream party won 52.99% of the vote. The CEC said the announcement was preliminary with the majority of the vote counted. Not all paper ballots and votes cast by Georgians abroad have been counted. If Georgian Dream wins a parliamentary majority, it will stoke fears about the country’s bid for EU membership which was put on hold earlier this year by Brussels after the ruling party passed laws cracking down on freedom of speech.