25.11.2025, Tbilisi.
The ruling Georgian party Georgian Dream plans to abolish voting in elections at all polling stations located abroad, attempting to protect the republic’s sovereignty from a scenario similar to what occurred in Moldova, according to Rossa Primavera News Agency‘s Europe Desk.
On November 17, the Chairman of the Georgian Parliament Shalva Papuashvili announced plans to allow voting only at polling stations located within the country. He explained this by the growing pressure faced by Georgian citizens abroad and reminded that similar electoral restrictions exist in Ireland, Malta, Israel, and Armenia.
On November 22, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze clarified that amendments will be introduced to the Election Code. He called it wrong that the country’s fate should be decided by those who live outside it.
“The right to vote remains. If a person lives abroad, he must come to his country at least for one day, see with his own eyes what is happening, and make a decision,” the head of government said.
This raises the question of why Georgian Dream suddenly became concerned that “incorrect” votes might be cast abroad. The party has confidently won elections since 2012. It regularly receives over 50% of the votes and can form a government without entering into a coalition. If preparations for a sharp drop in ratings were underway, there would be no visible preconditions for this.
Most likely, the Georgian authorities’ concerns are linked to how voting took place at polling stations located outside the country during the most recent elections in Moldova. There, the European Union helped keep President Maia Sandu’s current regime in power.
In autumn 2024, Moldova held presidential elections. In domestic voting, Sandu lost, but she won overall when votes cast abroad were counted. A similar situation occurred in September 2025: votes from the Moldovan diaspora helped Sandu’s party win the parliamentary elections. Voting at European polling stations had long leaned strongly pro-Western, but it has now become decisive.
In addition, elections at foreign polling stations are more difficult to monitor. In September, observers were not even allowed into several Moldovan polling stations in Romania, Spain, Germany, and France. That is, voting outside the country creates room for manipulation.
Thus, Georgian Dream is reforming electoral law proactively, attempting to limit the influence of the European Union on the country’s political landscape. Brussels openly supports pro-Western Georgian opposition parties, so it was entirely possible that an attempt could be made to change power in the republic through European polling stations.
The Georgian authorities have blocked this scenario, which will undoubtedly strengthen the country’s sovereignty. But such an attempt at precaution also indicates the unstable position of the ruling party.
Source: Rossa Primavera News Agency
