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

October 26 election is widely viewed as a test of whether Georgia returns to Russia’s orbit or maintains its pro-Western orientation

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Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili speaks at the pro-Europe rally in Tbilisi. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 4:21am, 21 Oct 2024Updated: 11:33am, 21 Oct 2024

Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili addressed a crowd of thousands at rally in the capital on Sunday, delivering a strong pro-EU message just days before a fiercely-contested parliamentary election.

The crowds gathered in Tbilisi’s central square represented “a free Georgia”, she said.

“Here today is the society, the people, the Georgians who are going to Europe,” said Zourabichvili, who has urged people to vote against the incumbent Georgian Dream party.

The October 26 election is widely viewed as a test of whether Georgia returns to Russia’s orbit or maintains its pro-Western orientation.

People wave EU and Georgian flags in a pro-Europe rally in Tbilisi, Georgia. Photo: EPA-EFE

The EU last year granted candidate status to Georgia, a first stage towards eventual membership. But relations have worsened sharply since Georgian Dream passed a “foreign agent” law in May that critics say is evidence it is pivoting towards Russia.

Draped in EU and Georgian flags, Georgians converged on Freedom Square on Sunday to support the four main pro-Western opposition groups running next weekend.