TBILISI: The President of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili, is reportedly aligning with the opposition despite her expected stance of neutrality, according to Georgian political analyst Zaal Anjaparidze. This development comes as Georgia approaches its parliamentary elections, with increasing political tension and international scrutiny.

According to Trend News Agency, the opposition in Georgia is preparing to establish a coordination platform on election day to monitor the voting process. Anjaparidze highlights that this election period is marked by significant involvement from Western countries, including the United States and the European Union, which have openly criticized the policies of Georgia’s ruling party and imposed sanctions on its representatives. This external influence has contributed to a climate of anxiety among the Georgian populace, with concerns about potential socio-economic repercussions and the possible revocation of visa-free travel to Europe.

Voters in Georgia face a critical decision:
to support the ruling party’s policy of sovereign democracy or to align with the opposition, which includes former authorities criticized for past human rights violations and democratic breaches during their nine-year rule. Anjaparidze emphasizes that the interests of global powers, such as Russia and Western nations, are evident in their efforts to sway the election’s outcome. The West’s involvement includes actions by non-governmental organizations and the implementation of sanctions.

The legitimacy of any post-election opposition protests could be significantly influenced by the evaluation of the elections by international observers. These assessments are expected to play a crucial role in shaping the political landscape following the October 26 parliamentary elections in Georgia.