Thousands of Georgians took to the streets of Tbilisi in a pro-European Union rally ahead of parliamentary elections on 26 October. The rally, described as a show of unity for the European future of Georgia, comes amidst concerns that the country may return to Russian influence. The ruling Georgian Dream party has faced criticism for derailing Georgia’s chances of joining the EU, particularly with controversial legislation that has been viewed negatively by Brussels. These laws include an anti-LGBTQ+ rights bill and a foreign agent law, both of which have been condemned by the EU. President Salome Zourabichvili, who is pro-European, refused to sign these bills into law and has expressed a strong desire for Georgia to align with Europe. The Georgian Dream party remains popular in opinion polls, but there are concerns that the country may be moving closer to Moscow’s influence, leading to the freezing of Georgia’s EU accession process by the EU. The upcoming parliamentary elections are seen as crucial in determining the country’s path – whether it will continue on its pro-European trajectory or shift back towards Russia. The rally in Tbilisi served as a powerful demonstration of the Georgian people’s desire for a European future and unity in the face of political challenges.
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Ahead of next week’s elections, a multitude of Georgians rally in Tbilisi in support of the EU
