Both the government and the opposition declared victory in the elections in Georgia, which are considered a referendum between Russia and the EU

Both Georgia’s ruling party and opposition parties have declared victory in parliamentary elections, which they say will determine whether the former Soviet republic moves toward the West or turns toward Russia as the war in Ukraine continues.

Rival exit polls gave different projections.

One survey showed that the ruling party, which has recently turned to pro-Russian rhetoric, won comfortably, and two other polls showed that the opposition will win a majority, according to Reuters.

An exit poll by the Imedi TV channel, which supports the Georgian Dream, showed that the ruling party won 56 percent of the vote. But exit polls by pro-opposition channels Formula and Mtavari Arkhi showed pro-Western opposition parties could form a majority.

All three television channels showed the candidates and positions and the opposition applauding and celebrating the victory.

Billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, founder of the ruling party and former prime minister, declared victory.

“European Georgia wins with 52 percent despite attempts to falsify the election and without diaspora voting,” announced Georgian President Salome Zurabichvili, a former ally of the ruling party who has become a fierce critic of the ruling party.

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