"The day of the turning point in the history of Georgia is approaching, and our citizens face a crucial decision that will determine the future of our country, a reality that becomes clearer every day. This choice will decide whether our future aligns with Europe or if we fall under the influence of Russia, which is the path Mr. Bidzina Ivanishvili is advocating,” Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili stated at a briefing today, September 16. According to the President, October 26 is not an ordinary election day.
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"I will repeat this as many times as necessary: this is the day of the crucial choice, the day of the referendum - to choose sovereignty, independence, freedom, and European values, or to leave our future in the hands of Russia. Today, there is only one choice - either Europe or Russia. We have never given this country to anyone, and we will not give it to anyone. This choice is ours, and it is a collective responsibility. We cannot evade this responsibility, and we will carry it forward into the future," said Zourabichvili.
He also stated that he will "take the responsibility" to the end and support all pro-European forces.
On September 14, at a pre-election meeting with voters in Gori, Bidzina Ivanishvili, founder and honorary chairman of the Georgian Dream, remarked that "As soon as the October 26 elections are over, when the instigators of the war are put on trial and when all criminals receive the strictest legal verdict for the destruction of the Georgian-Ossetian brotherhood and coexistence, we will surely find the strength within ourselves to apologize for the fact that the treacherous National Movement, under the mandate, burned our Ossetian brothers and sisters in 2008."
The families of the soldiers who died in the war responded to Ivanishvili's statement, saying they owe no one an apology. The opposition criticized the speech of the ruling party leader as "treasonous." According to the United National Movement, this statement serves only the interests of Russia, undermines the policy of non-recognition of the occupied territories, and harms Georgia's national interest.
The parliamentary elections on October 26 will be held with a 5% threshold. Most parties are participating in the elections with a unified list. Voters will elect 150 deputies to the Parliament of Georgia for a four-year term based on the proportional election system.
