The Parliamentary elections being held in Georgia today are a test of the stability of the country after the campaign was tarnished by a car explosion and a shooting at one of the candidates, reported Reuters.

In the country, which traditionally has strained relations with Russia, one-fifth of the territory is still under the control of pro-Russian separatists. The economy is just beginning to emerge from a deep recession which hit the living standards of the citizens.

Surveys show that the party Georgian Dream, ruled by the country’s richest man, has the greatest chance of success. But there is another formation – the opposition United National Movement enjoys stable support. Most of the voters had not decided until the very last minute.

Georgia suffered a major defeat in the blietzkrieg with Russia in 2008. Both the government and the opposition want the country to become a member of NATO and the EU. At the same time, Georgian Dream insists on closer ties with Russia.

Georgia recorded economic growth of 2.7% for the first eight month of the year.