TBILISI, Georgia (AP) – Tens of thousands of supporters of a leading opposition party rallied Wednesday in the Georgian capital before the weekend’s parliamentary election.
The United National Movement, led by former President Mikhail Saakashvili, has been in opposition since losing the 2012 parliamentary election to the Georgian Dream party founded by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, who made his fortune in Russia.
Opinion polls have shown the two parties locked in a statistical dead heat before Saturday’s vote.
The rally by the United National Movement drew more than 25,000 amid growing public discontent about economic difficulties and disillusionment with the government.
“Prices are rising and many people feel trapped,” said Vazha Melikishvili, a Tbilisi resident who attended the rally. He said he voted for Ivanishvili’s party in the previous election, but has lost trust in him since then.