In Georgia, people are preparing to vote in crucial legislative elections this Saturday. Elections that look like a choice between Europe and Russia. While many voters dream of joining the European Union, many are worried about the pro-Russian authoritarian drift of the “Dream” party in power. In France too, the diaspora is mobilizing.
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An association in Paris is organizing bus trips from several major cities in France so that the diaspora can vote in the French capital this Saturday. And on the eve of the election in Georgia, it’s the excitement…
“ It’s very hot!!! There are people who reserve their bus seat, who ask us for the address, where to vote, until what time, etc. You have to respond to everyone », says Gvantsa Demetrashvili, at the microphone of Margaux Ratayzykinternational service. She manages the association’s communication on a voluntary basis and it was she who put the fund online: 12,000 euros collected to help 500 Georgians from all over France to come and vote in Paris.
And for Tamara Demuria, president of the association, the mobilization of the diaspora is essential: “ What is happening today is tantamount to a referendum. Today we are on a path that we must choose: either it will be imperialist Russia or it will be Europe. The Georgian population aspires to these European values.”
Also readIn Georgia, the legislative elections mobilize pro-European youth
In addition to buses to Paris, Tamara’s association has set up a carpooling system. She even anticipated childcare for parents who will come to vote tomorrow. “ They do not have huge income and cannot leave their children. So we have put people in place who will look after the children during this time. For example, I learned that a lady was going to leave her four children with her friends. She’s going to act as a driver to be able to bring people from Saint-Brieuc to Paris! »
Saint-Brieuc is in Brittany, in the West of France. That’s almost 450 km of road to reach Paris. proof that the Georgian community intends to mobilize.