Georgia faces increasing pressure from Russia, raising concerns among the opposition and supporters of Euro-Atlantic integration. Tina Bokuchava, leader of the opposition party 'United National Movement' (UNM), has stated that the upcoming elections on October 26 will be a decisive moment for the country, determining its future path: towards NATO and the EU or towards closer relations with Russia.
This information was reported by Newsweek media.
Bokuchava emphasized that the ruling party 'Georgian Dream,' backed by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, is gradually moving towards authoritarianism and strengthening ties with Moscow. She also noted that the government is attempting to suppress the opposition through intimidation, arrests, and threats. Recent protests against the 'foreign agents' law, which has been compared to Russian repressive measures, have led to clashes with police and brutal beatings of activists.
Despite the increasing pressure from the authorities, Bokuchava is confident that the Georgian people will not allow the government to ignore their will. She stressed that Georgia’s future is tied to Euro-Atlantic integration, and if the election results are falsified, the country could face mass protests.
At the same time, Russian intelligence accuses the US of preparing a 'color revolution' in Georgia to prevent the victory of 'Georgian Dream,' which only heightens the tension surrounding the elections.