Thousands of Georgians take to the streets to support the European Union after Brussels’ decision

In front of a crowd waving European Union and Georgian flags, pro-Western President Salome Zurabishvili, with limited powers, called on the 27 member states to grant Georgia official candidate status.

“We ask you to grant our country candidate status in accordance with the long-term aspirations of the Georgian nation and the unwavering will of its people,” he stressed.

He added, “Our future is in your hands in Europe. This future has no alternative.”

The European Union heads of state are scheduled to make the final decision next December, at a summit.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced this recommendation on Wednesday, which also includes opening accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili also praised the “historic victory” during a televised speech. “We are getting the status that the Georgian people deserve,” he noted.

Salome Zurabishvili promised that she would continue “to play the role of a pro-European leader, in order to promote and advance the reforms that are still necessary.” But his powers are limited and his enemies are many.

In October, Parliament tried to dismiss him, but failed by only 15 votes, and important groups of MPs accused the government of undermining the candidacy of Georgia, a Caucasian country that gained independence in 1991, to join the European Union in order to join the European Union.

Like Ukraine and Moldova, two other former Soviet republics, Georgia took steps agreed with Brussels to become a candidate for membership shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in February last year.

The attack revived bad memories of the Russian military intervention on its territory in 2008.

Membership in the European Union and NATO, which is already enshrined in the Georgian constitution, is supported by more than 80% of Georgia’s population, according to several opinion polls.

Salome Zurabishvili called on her citizens to gather in front of the presidential headquarters in the capital, Tbilisi, to show their desire to join the European Union.