Will Georgia choose Europe or Russia?
The people of Georgia are heading to the polls on Saturday, Oct. 26. After all, Georgians are electing a new parliament. But there is also more at stake for the country in the South Caucasus with capital Tbilisi.
What course will the new government take in Georgia? Will the country re-establish its soured ties with Europe or continue to take small steps toward Russia? The ruling “Georgian Dream” party has been in power continuously for 12 years and is closer to Putin than to Europe. Then again, the opposition wants further European integration.
'Georgian Dream' does continue to publicly declare that membership in the European Union is its main goal, but at the same time maintains a less harsh tone toward Russia. In turn.
Georgian Dream itself says that this Saturday's elections are a choice between war and peace. Election posters from the party show idyllic scenes of Georgia alongside devastation from the war in Ukraine. The message is that the opposition wants to plunge Georgia into another war, while Georgian Dream just wants to preserve stability and peace.
How will Georgians vote this weekend?
(FVDV for Tagtik/Illustration picture: Unsplash)