TBILISI: Tens of thousands of Georgians gathered on Sunday in a show of support for EU membership just days ahead of crucial parliamentary elections that could shape the country’s democratic future.
The vote, scheduled for Saturday, pits a united coalition of pro-Western opposition forces against the ruling Georgian Dream party, which has faced accusations from Brussels of drifting towards authoritarianism.
Demonstrators flooded Tbilisi’s central Freedom Square, waving EU and Georgian flags while holding banners that proclaimed, “Georgia chooses the European Union.”
The rally began as participants marched from five different locations toward the square, responding to a call from various Georgian NGOs, including Georgia’s European Orbit and the “My Voice to the EU” coalition.
Organizers expressed the determination of the Georgian people to pursue their path toward EU membership, stating on Facebook, “Choosing unity, development, and the European Union, Georgians will rally on October 20 and show their resolve.”
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Pro-Western President Salome Zurabishvili, who has been at odds with the Georgian government, announced her intention to join the rally, saying that it would showcase the people’s desire for freedom, independence, and a European future.
The upcoming elections come at a time of heightened tension, following the freezing of Georgia’s EU accession process after the ruling party’s controversial passage of a “foreign influence law” this spring. This law has been widely criticized as a Kremlin-style attempt to suppress dissent, leading to weeks of mass protests and resulting in sanctions imposed by Washington on numerous Georgian officials.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell described the elections as a “crucial test for democracy in Georgia and its European Union path.” He expressed concerns that the actions of Georgian Dream indicated a significant shift toward authoritarian governance.
Opinion polls indicate that opposition parties may have sufficient support to form a coalition government and unseat the ruling party, led by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili. However, analysts warn of potential instability if Georgian Dream attempts to retain power irrespective of the election results.
Having been in power since 2012, Georgian Dream initially championed a liberal pro-Western agenda but has faced criticism for its recent pivot towards closer ties with Moscow amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Georgia’s aspirations for EU and NATO membership are enshrined in its constitution, with approximately 80 percent of the population supporting these goals, according to recent surveys conducted by organizations such as the National Democratic Institute and the International Republican Institute.
