In the capital of Georgia, demonstrators have taken a stand by setting up tents on a major thoroughfare, declaring their intention to remain there continuously in their call for new parliamentary elections in the country. The October election, which saw the ruling Georgian Dream party retain power, has been met with allegations of fraud by its opponents.
Since the disputed election, a series of significant protests have unfolded, with demonstrators even blocking a key avenue leading to Tbilisi's center. Critics of the Georgian Dream party, founded by a wealthy figure with ties to Russia, have raised concerns about its alleged slide towards authoritarianism and pro-Moscow policies.
Recent legislative actions by the party, including laws reminiscent of those employed by the Kremlin to suppress freedom of expression and LGBTQ+ rights, have fueled discontent among the populace. The October election, widely seen as a pivotal moment in Georgia's aspirations to join the European Union, has further intensified the political landscape.
In a move that resonated with many Georgians, the EU suspended the country's membership application process in June following the passage of a controversial law in the Georgian parliament. This law mandates that organizations receiving over 20% of their funding from foreign sources must register as entities 'pursuing the interest of a foreign power,' mirroring a similar Russian legislation aimed at discrediting government critics.
