The foreign media has responded to the rally ‘Georgia Chooses the European Union,’ held in Tbilisi on yesterday.
“Tens and thousands of Georgians participated in a pro-European demonstration a few weeks before the parliamentary election.” The rally participants waved flags of both the European Union and Georgia, and held banners that read: “Georgia Chooses the European Union”.
“Public opinion surveys show that opposition parties will likely win enough votes to replace the ruling party controlled billionaire BidzinaIvanishvili. Analysts warn of the possibility of riots, if Georgian dream tries to retain power regardless of the results of the election.
France-Presse informs readers that Georgian Dream has changed course in the past two years. Initially, it had a liberal pro Western policy and was in power since 2012.
Reuters reported, “The President spread a message of support for the European Union at an opposition rally.”
“The October 26th elections are widely seen as a test to see if Georgia will return into Russia’s orbit, or maintain its pro Western orientation. “Wrapped in the flags from the European Union and Georgia on Sunday, Georgians gathered at Freedom Square to show their support for four main pro-Western groups that will run for office next weekend,” wrote the publication.
Reuters reports that the EU granted Georgia Candidate Status last year. However, it highlights that relations have deteriorated since Georgian Dream adopted a “foreign agents” law which critics claim is evidence that it is leaning towards Russia.
The publication noted that, when President Salome Zurabishvili spoke at the rally, unidentified persons shone laser light on her face from a nearby roof, clearly trying distract her.
Euronews published an article on the rally in which it stated: “Tens and thousands of Georgians marched through the streets Tbilisi to show their support for the European Union.
The rally is just a week before the parliamentary elections on 26 October. These are widely viewed as a bellwether for determining if Georgia returns into Russia’s orbit, or continues its pro-European course.
Euronews reported that “Last Year, the EU granted Georgia Candidate Country Status, but since then, opposition supporters claim that the ruling Georgian Dream Party has sabotaged the country’s chance of joining the EU.”
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