Georgia prepares for election which could determine future in Europe

Georgia is heading to the polls on Saturday in a parliamentary election many citizens believe will be the most crucial vote of their lifetimes. 

The election will pit a coalition of opposition parties against the ruling ‘Georgian Dream’ which many fear is dragging the nation towards authoritarianism and away from the European Union. 

80% of Georgians favour joining the EU, according to polls, and the constitution demands leaders pursue membership of the EU and NATO. 

Brussels put Georgia’s bid for entry to the EU on hold indefinitely in August after the ruling government passed a ‘Russian law’ cracking down on freedom of speech earlier this year. 

Manu Georgians fear that if the ‘Georgian Dream’ party are re-elected, hopes of joining the EU could be permanently extinguished. 

‘Georgian Dream’ argue it needed to curb harmful foreign actors trying to destabilize the country, but journalists and activists say it’s true goal is to stigmatize them and restrict debate before the election. 

Tens of thousands of Georgians marched on Sunday ahead of the election viewed as make-or-break for the chance to join the EU. 

As well as the EU freezing membership talks, the U.K. suspended its security dialogue with Georgia and cancelled other defence talks, concerned about threats to democracy.