Georgians hold pro-EU rally ahead of pivotal election
- 23 October, 07:19
Georgians staged a thousands-strong rally in capital Tbilisi on October 20 ahead of the parliamentary election that will decide the country’s bid for EU membership.
The country’s pro-Western President Salome Zurabichvili who is at loggerheads with the pro-Russian ruling Georgia Dream party attended the rally. Addressing the rally participants, Zurabichvili said the protest would “demonstrate people’s will for freedom, independence, and a European future”. At certain point during Zurabichvili’s speech in the rally, someone pointed a laser at her in an attempt to disrupt the speech.
Tens of thousands of protesters carrying Georgian and EU flags gathered in central square of capital Tbilisi, carrying pro-EU banners. “Georgia chooses the European Union” – one of the banners read.
The rally had been organized by several local NGOs, including Georgia’s European Orbit and the “My Voice to the EU” coalition. “Choosing unity, development, and the European Union, Georgians will rally on October 20 (Sunday) and show their resolve to pursue the path of EU membership,” organizers had said on Facebook. The Sunday protest was held ahead of the pivotal parliamentary election scheduled for October 26. The election is crucial in terms of determining the political path of Georgia that has been pivoting between Russia and the European Union. Earlier, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell cautioned that Georgian Dream’s actions “signal a shift towards authoritarianism”.
