Tens of thousands demonstrate for Europe ahead of Georgian election

Tens of thousands of people in the Black Sea republic of Georgia have demonstrated for closer ties with the European Union just a week before a crucial parliamentary election.

Under the slogan "Georgia chooses the European Union," they gathered at various locations in the capital, Tbilisi, and marched to a concluding event at Freedom Square on Sunday.

They waved the flags of the EU and Georgia and played the European anthem. "We want to join the EU, and our current government is not helping with that," said a demonstrator.

The event is backed by several non-governmental organizations. Opposition flags were also prominently visible. The pro-European President Salome Zourabichvili was present at the event.

A parliamentary election is scheduled for this coming Saturday in Georgia, which many describe as historic.

The party in power since 2012, Georgian Dream, advocates a renewed rapprochement with Russia and is criticized in the West for its anti-European stance.

Recently, it has passed laws similar to those in Russia, including one for tighter control of civil society and restrictions on the rights of homosexuals and other sexual minorities.

The pro-Western opposition hopes for a victory in the election but is divided. It was only at the end of 2023 that Georgia became an EU candidate country. The EU accuses the Georgian leadership of an anti-Western course and has put the process on hold.