By Felix Light
TBILISI (Reuters) – The South Caucasus country of Georgia holds a parliamentary election on Saturday that pits a government seen as leaning increasingly towards Russia against an opposition that champions integration with the West.
Here’s what to look out for.
HIGH STAKES POLLS
* The ruling party, Georgian Dream, is seeking a fourth term in office.
* A mountainous country of around 3 million people between Russia and Turkey, Georgia gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and has followed broadly pro-Western policies ever since.
* Many Georgians dislike Russia, which ruled the country for around 200 years and backs two rebel regions, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, that broke away from Tbilisi’s control in the 1990s. Russia defeated Georgia in a five-day war in 2008.
RUSSIA VS WEST
* Georgian Dream has in the last two years shifted towards pro-Russian rhetoric, accusing Western countries of seeking to drag Georgia into war with Russia. It has also deepened ties with China.