Opposition alliance calls for unity rally on Georgia’s Independence Day

Giorgi Vashadze, the leader of the opposition party Strategy Agmashenebeli, has called on supporters to gather on 26 May, Georgia’s Independence Day, describing the event as a demonstration of unity and a renewed mobilisation against the government.

Speaking ahead of the planned rally, Vashadze said the date carried particular significance for the country and should serve as an opportunity for citizens to “see what unity can achieve”.

He added participants will march from Tbilisi State University to the parliament building on Rustaveli Avenue, where organisers plan to present what he described as a “different approach” from previous demonstrations.

Vashadze said the opposition alliance hoped to receive a public mandate from those attending the rally to expand and strengthen its political campaign.

“This will be the first gathering of the opposition alliance, but not the last,” he said, adding that further steps had already been planned as part of what he called a path towards “final victory”.

He accused the authorities of governing through division, hatred and disinformation, and said the opposition’s aim was to unite society through what he described as a process of “national mobilisation”.

The opposition politician also urged supporters who wanted “injustice to end” and for the government to “fully serve the people” to attend the rally, predicting a large turnout on Rustaveli Avenue.

Georgia marks Independence Day annually on 26 May, commemorating the country’s declaration of independence in 1918.