Georgian president delivers pro-EU message at opposition rally as election looms

Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili rallied thousands in Tbilisi with a strong pro-EU message ahead of the crucial October 26 election. The vote will decide whether Georgia strengthens ties with Russia or continues its pro-Western course.

Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili delivered a passionate pro-European message to thousands of supporters at a rally in Tbilisi, just days ahead of a crucial parliamentary election.

Speaking to the crowd gathered in the capital's central square, she referred to the gathering as a symbol of "a free Georgia."

The upcoming election on October 26th is seen as a key moment in determining whether Georgia strengthens ties with Russia or continues its Western-oriented path. Last year, the European Union granted Georgia candidate status, marking the first step towards full membership. However, relations have soured since Georgian Dream, the ruling party, passed a controversial "foreign agent" law in May, raising concerns about the country’s shift towards Moscow.

Supporters of the four main pro-Western opposition parties rallied at Freedom Square, waving both EU and Georgian flags in a show of support. Although Zourabichvili holds largely ceremonial authority, she has become a vocal critic of Georgian Dream, the party that backed her election in 2018.

Despite Georgian Dream’s declining popularity since its narrow victory in 2020, opinion polls suggest it remains the most popular political force in Georgia.

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