A large-scale protest against the policies of the ruling Georgian Dream party took place in Georgia's capital, Tbilisi. This was reported by UNN, citing Deutsche Welle and Georgian media.
Opposition forces announced the start of a new protest campaign, which is to culminate in a mass demonstration on November 28. The protests are taking place against the backdrop of the Constitutional Court's consideration of a lawsuit seeking to ban five opposition parties.
On Sunday, October 25, thousands of people took to the streets of Tbilisi under the slogan "Georgia without Ivanishvili. Georgia deserves better." The rally was organized by representatives of opposition political forces and civil society. Protesters gathered near the first building of Tbilisi State University, from where they set off toward Rustaveli Avenue. Participants in the march carried the flags of Georgia, the European Union, and Ukraine, expressing their disagreement with the policies of the current authorities and restrictions on opposition activity.
The rally marked the beginning of a new protest campaign initiated by the "Opposition Alliance," which brings together nine Georgian political parties.
According to the Caucasian Knot, thousands of people took part in the demonstration. A significant presence of law enforcement officers was also reported.
One of the leaders of the Coalition for Change, Nika Gvaramia, said before the demonstration began that the opposition was launching a new wave of protests, which was to grow into much larger-scale rallies.
"We are starting today, and we definitely need a culmination—whether it is on November 28 or in the following days. It is important that there be very many of us on the 28th, so that the wind cannot put out the fire," Gvaramia said.
Gigi Tsereteli, leader of the European Georgia party, emphasized that the current rally was not a protest by any one political force, but brought together citizens seeking democratic change. According to him, the authorities are increasingly restricting the possibilities for political competition, while the country is moving farther away from European integration.
"Today's rally is effectively the beginning of the campaign. A large and important rally is scheduled for November 28. What is happening in Georgia today in terms of the destruction of democracy is truly unimaginable against the backdrop of the fact that we were a champion country on the path to European integration, while today we are outsiders," Tsereteli said.
