Protest march set for October 26 - organisers say ‘let’s show we are majority’

A coalition of political parties, civic groups, former President Salome Zourabichvili and families of those detained during recent rallies have announced a protest march in the Georgian capital city of Tbilisi for October 26.

The demonstration will begin at 19:00 at First Republic Square and proceed to the Parliament.

The organisers said the march marks one year since the ruling party “declared its intention not merely to pursue a European path with dignity, but to seize power permanently and turn the country into a source of corrupt income and unchecked authority.” In a joint statement, they accused the Government of governing through “lies, bribery and violence” and argued that it has lost the legitimate right to rule.

“Over the past 318 days we have shown that this will not happen and that Ivanishvili’s group is far weaker than a year ago,” the statement reads. “To everyone angered by Georgia’s current condition and to all who believe that, with will and resolve, we can defeat this regime - we call on you to gather on October 26 at 19:00 at Republic Square and march to Parliament so we can show everyone that we are the majority, we are here, and we will continue the struggle to the end.”

Organisers framed the rally as both a commemoration of the one-year anniversary of what they call “stolen elections” and a renewed call for mass mobilisation.