Foreign media responded to the ‘Georgia Chooses the European Union’ rally held in Tbilisi yesterday.
“Tens of thousands of Georgians held a pro-European rally a few days before the parliamentary elections. The participants of the rally waved the flags of the European Union and Georgia and held banners with the inscriptions: “Georgia chooses the European Union”,” – wrote the France-Presse agency, adding that the upcoming parliamentary elections are considered a crucial test for the country’s democracy and its attempt to join the European Union.
“Public opinion polls show that opposition parties are likely to win enough votes to form a coalition government and replace the ruling party controlled by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili. Analysts talk about the risk of riots if Georgian Dream tries to maintain power regardless of the result of the vote,” they note.
France-Presse further informs its readers that Georgian Dream, which has been in power since 2012 and initially pursued a liberal pro-Western policy, has changed its course in the last two years and is now accused of trying to bring the country closer to Moscow.
In turn, Reuters reported: “The President of Georgia spread a message in support of the European Union at the opposition’s rally.”
“The October 26 elections are widely viewed as a test of whether Georgia will return to Russia’s orbit or maintain its pro-Western orientation. Wrapped in the flags of the European Union and Georgia, Georgians gathered in Freedom Square on Sunday to show their support for the four main pro-Western opposition groups that will be running for office next weekend,” the publication wrote.
Reuters states that the EU granted Georgia candidate status last year, but highlights that relations have deteriorated sharply since Georgian Dream passed a “foreign agent” law that critics say is evidence it is leaning toward Russia.
The publication also noted that when President Salome Zurabishvili was speaking at the rally, unknown persons shone laser lights on her face from the roof of a nearby building, clearly trying to distract her.
Euronews also published an article about the rally, stating: “Tens of thousands of Georgians have marched through the streets of the capital Tbilisi in a show of support for their country joining the European Union.
“The rally comes just a week ahead of parliamentary elections, set to take place on 26 October, which are widely seen as a bellwether to determine if Georgia returns to Russia’s orbit or continues on its pro-European path.
“Last year, the EU granted Georgia candidate country status, but since then opposition supporters argue that the ruling Georgian Dream party has derailed the country’s chances of joining the bloc,” Euronews reporters wrote.
