On October 23, just three days before the crucial elections for the parliamentary, the ruling Georgian Dream Party concluded its regional tour by holding a final rally in Tbilisi. The majority of the crowd was bussed in from all over the country.
The GD rally was a counter-action to the march and rallies of pro-European forces, “Georgia Chooses EU”, which took place just three days earlier and were attended by almost a 100 thousand people.
Preparations
In preparation for the Freedom Square rally, the area along with Rustaveli Avenue (one of the main arteries in the capital) was blocked the day before. Traffic was backed up in other areas due to the fact that no transport was allowed in the area. The police had warned residents to avoid driving private cars. Several reports have also indicated that street vendors in the region have been asked to leave their usual work earlier.
As was the case for the previous GD rally in Tbilisi, on April 29, a large portion of the crowd was bussed in throughout the day from all over the nation. Media reports claim that many of those in attendance were civil servants who were allegedly under the control of the ruling party.
Some reports show people on buses avoiding the journalists and their questions. They tell the media of the opposition that they are going for a stroll, a trip or a wedding. Many people tried to hide their faces from the cameras.
A report broadcast by Mtavari TV (a channel that leans towards the opposition) went viral. It purportedly showed the “wish lists” filled out by Kutaisi kindergarten employees who were promised their wishes would come true if they supported ruling party.
Many CCTV cameras are also installed in the narrow streets surrounding Freedom Square, the central stage.
The rally was preceded with a march from Freedom Square to the rally, which included Olympic athletes Lasha Telakhadze and Geno Petrishvili as well as leading GD figures MakaBotchorishvili Anri Okhanashvili Nikoloz Sakharadze Nino Tsilosani etc. Tsotne, the son of Bidzina, led the rally of the youth organization.
Speeches
Five GD leaders delivered speeches, as they did in previous rallies: Irakli Garibashvili (Party Chairman), Mamuka Papuashvili (Parliament Speaker), Kakha Kaladze (Tbilisi Mayor), and Irakli Kobakhidze, Prime Minister. The GD Honorary Chairman Bidzina ivanishvili delivered his speech from a tribune that was set up for him, behind bulletproof glass.
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The Daily Beat: October 20,
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