Gocha was hit by rubber bullets in the protests

On Saturday, the Georgian people go to the polls in what is being described as a fateful choice between East and West.
The past year has been marked by large protests against the government – which critics say has moved closer to Russia.
– I was shot with a rubber bullet, my friend was arrested and we were all hit by tear gas and pepper spray, but that is not something we are afraid of. Our ancestors fought for our independence and freedom with blood, with shields and swords. We can take pepper spray and rubber bullets, said Gocha Gogsadze, 19, who participated in the protests.

The ruling Georgian Dream party has ruled the country for the past twelve years and is now hoping for another term in power.

The previously divided opposition has managed to gather under the president’s initiative, the Georgian Charter. Politically, they have many differences, but they agree on one thing – their goal is to take power and turn the country in a western direction again.

Want to get people committed to the EU

One of those hoping for a change of government and a new path for Georgia is 19-year-old student Gocha Gogsadze from Tbilisi.

– This is not just a fight between the opposition and the Georgian dream, it is about Western values ​​and Russian imperialism, whether Georgia will become a new Belarus or join the EU and NATO, says Gocha.

Together with his friends, he has previously created a campaign to tell about the EU’s values ​​and what advantages Georgia can get if it joins the Union.

– I’m just an ordinary normal, independent citizen who has been demonstrating since 2021. I’m trying to raise awareness among my fellow students and get them active for our country to develop and join the EU, he says.

A choice between the EU and Russia

The ruling politicians from both camps try to paint it as a choice of fate – something even Gocha agrees with. He believes that it is not about any internal political battles, but that the country’s future is at stake.

During the year, the government hammered through an anti-LGBTQ law and a “foreign-agent law”. Similar laws have previously been introduced in Russia.

– The election is important for which direction Georgia will take, what will be our future. Like in Belarus, will it become a puppet of Russia or will we continue the negotiations to join the EU?

Protesters filled the streets of Tbilisi

Gocha believes that many Georgians became aware of the Georgian Dream’s change in 2019. In connection with the corona pandemic, the protests stopped, but picked up again when the government wanted to introduce the agent law in 2023. The announcement led to huge protests and the bill was temporarily withdrawn.

– Because of that law, they lost a lot of support, because they put down the protests and beat people. They intimidated and blackmailed many people.

Last spring, the government came forward with the proposal again, but this time it went all the way and was hammered through during a full fight in parliament. Outside, the protesters had filled the streets.

– We saw water cannons and a young generation dancing in front of them. We saw examples of heroism and peaceful people. We were too many for this government, yet we did not use violence against the police who beat us down, says Gocha.

Gocha: Not afraid of rubber bullets and tear gas

He thinks the government will lose the election and hopes for a change, but doesn’t think it will be easy. Last spring, he and his friends got into trouble in connection with the protests.

– I was shot with a rubber bullet, my friend was arrested and we were all hit by tear gas and pepper spray, but that is not something we are afraid of. Our ancestors fought for our independence and freedom with blood, with shields and swords. We can take pepper spray and rubber bullets, says Gocha.

Barely a week before the election, there were large protests in Tbilisi again. The streets were filled with flags and thousands of demonstrators, one of whom was Gocha.