Thousands rally in Tbilisi on Georgia Independence Day to press for EU path

Georgia marked its Independence Day on Tuesday with an official parade in the capital, Tbilisi, followed later by a large pro-European rally in the city centre. Thousands of people marched through central streets waving Georgian and EU flags before gathering outside parliament, where police were present in heavy numbers. The demonstration was organised as a show of support for Georgia's bid to join the European Union.

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The rally took place on the country's 35th independence anniversary and came after a state ceremony attended by officials and new military service recruits taking their oath. Protesters carried placards reading "We are Europe" and portraits of jailed former president Mikheil Saakashvili. One protester said the movement had been on the streets for more than 500 days and would continue until Georgia's European future was defended.

The event also reflected the depth of political division in Georgia. Critics accuse the ruling party of democratic backsliding and of moving the country closer to Moscow, allegations the government denies. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze used his independence day speech to urge Georgians to take pride in their sovereignty and said the country remained on a path that would lead to its national goals.

He has previously said Georgia's path towards EU membership was "steady and irreversible", even as Brussels has effectively frozen the accession process. The protest matters because EU membership is written into Georgia's constitution and is widely supported by more than 80% of the population, according to opinion polls cited in the reporting. That makes the stalled accession process a central political issue, not just a foreign policy dispute.

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It also places pressure on the government at a time when opposition groups are trying to overcome internal divisions and present a united front. The rally was organised by an alliance of opposition parties that has recently been working to coordinate its response to the government. The appearance of portraits of Saakashvili at the protest underlined how the country's current political tensions remain tied to earlier disputes over Georgia's pro-Western course.

The government has rejected accusations that it is steering the country away from Europe, but the criticism has continued to shape public debate. What remains unclear is whether the latest mobilisation will translate into sustained political pressure or any change in the government's position. The immediate next point to watch is how authorities respond to further demonstrations and whether opposition parties can maintain their unity.

The broader question is whether Georgia's EU bid can move forward after months of confrontation over the country's direction.

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