Elections

The "My Step" alliance secured 70.43% of votes cast. Polling on Sunday took place in a calm atmosphere, but voter turnout was low, with only 48.63 % of eligible voters casting their votes.

With eleven parties to choose from, Armenians have the chance to determine their country's future in elections that appear to be freer and fairer than has been the case in recent past

"Candidates campaigned freely in competitive Georgia run-off, though one side enjoyed undue advantage and negative character of campaign undermined process", international observers say

After a divisive and bruising presidential election campaign Georgians now need to assess where that leaves their democracy and their country's political fabric, argues Dennis Sammut in this op-ed for commonspace.eu

In the second round of presidential elections held on Wednesday, Zurabishvili got 59.55 of the votes cast. UNM Candidate, Grigol Vashadze secured 40.45%.

Exit polls released soon after polling closed at 20.00 say that Salome Zurabishvili won the election securing 55% of the votes cast. Counting is expected to go on throughout the night

In an impassioned video appeal the leader of Georgian Dream (GD) party, Bidhzina Ivanishvili, called on the Georgian people not to lose the gains achieved in the last six years, but also promised that henceforth he will himself play a more direct role in the governing of the country.

Opposition sources say the main issues during the one-hour audience were the presidential election and the draft law on cultivation and export of cannabis.

Zurabishvili made a televised address after speculation on Tuesday that she was about to withdraw her candidacy. Zurabishvili came first in Sunday's first round of presidential elections in Georgia, but failed to secure 50% of votes cast.