Armenian pundit: Georgia's October vote could shift Russia's influence in South Caucasus

Armenian political scientist Abraham Gasparyan has said that the upcoming October elections in Georgia are expected to play a pivotal role in determining the future of the region's security architecture, with broader implications for Russia's influence in the South Caucasus.

“If Georgia's pro-Western forces come to power, then this country could become a springboard for starting serious processes against Russia. In addition, if these forces win, the Russian military base will be withdrawn from Armenia. Russia will temporarily leave the South Caucasus region,” he said, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

The pundit also explained what a victory by forces loyal to Russia in Georgia would lead to: “If forces loyal to Russia win in Georgia, Russia will continue to advance its line toward Iran, and the incumbent Armenian authorities will bow to Putin.”

“The West is trying its best to turn Armenia into an anti-Russian bridgehead, but the incumbent authorities of the country, guided by fears and perhaps some calculations, do not take real action, taking only ‘half-steps’,” Gasparyan added.

On October 26, 2024, Georgia will hold parliamentary elections, marking a significant change in its electoral system. For the first time, members of Georgia's 11th Parliament will be elected entirely through a proportional representation system, abandoning the previous mixed system that combined party lists and majoritarian constituencies.

Under the new system, only political parties that receive at least 5% of the vote will be eligible to enter parliament, ensuring a threshold for representation. This shift is seen as a move toward a more representative and party-driven political landscape, reducing the influence of individual majoritarian candidates.

A notable feature of the 2024 elections will be the introduction of an electronic voting system. Leveraging modern technology, over 90% of ballots are expected to be counted and publicly available within an hour of polling stations closing, significantly speeding up the reporting process and enhancing transparency.