Ex-Pres Saakashvili calls for anti-Russian rally, claims developments in Armenia highlight Georgia's political divide

Georgia's arrested third president, Mikheil Saakashvili, has called on supporters to mark 20 June with a rally in Tbilisi, arguing that recent political developments in Armenia demonstrated a broader regional shift away from Russian influence.

In a post on social media on Monday, Saakashvili said Armenian voters had rejected “Russian pressure” and re-elected Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, strengthening Armenia's pro-Western course.

He argued that Pashinyan's victory would have significant implications for the South Caucasus and claimed that attempts to unseat the Armenian leader had failed despite support from forces aligned with Moscow.

Saakashvili contrasted developments in Armenia and Azerbaijan with the political situation in Georgia, describing the “government founded by  Bidzina Ivanishvili” as an anomaly in the region.

Saakashvili further noted both Armenia and Azerbaijan were increasingly pursuing policies aimed at reducing Russian influence and expanding cooperation with Western partners.

The former president called on Georgians to draw lessons from regional developments and urged people to gather on Rustaveli Avenue on 20 June, the anniversary of the anti-government protests sparked by the visit of Russian lawmaker Sergei Gavrilov to the Georgian parliament in 2019.

Saakashvili said the event should be observed as a "Day of Dignity" and framed it as an opportunity to demonstrate opposition to “Russian influence in Georgia.”

He also argued that public demonstrations were necessary to show international partners that Georgians remain committed to independence and closer integration with the West.