Georgians head to the polls on Saturday for parliamentary elections that will shape the country’s future direction – whether towards the EU, or Russia’s orbit.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has claimed the country is on course to join the EU and denied Russian influence, in an exclusive interview with Euronews on the eve of a crucial vote that he painted as a choice between war and peace.
The poll comes at a crossroads for Georgia. Granted EU candidacy last year, Georgia’s accession process was frozen after the government passed a controversial “foreign agents” law, similar to Russian legislation, which was panned European leaders.
Another divisive law passed in September restricted LGBTQ+ rights, though President Salome Zourabichvili, a pro-European figure, refused to sign both bills.
The country is deeply polarised and pro-EU protests have become a feature in the capital.
We also take a quick look at two other elections in Europe – in Bulgaria and Lithuania – with socialists and centre right parties leading the polls.
Radio Schuman also takes a look at the cringiest lines from European Commissioner designates in their job applications.
Radio Schuman is hosted and produced by Maïa de la Baume, with journalist and production assistant Eleonora Vasques, audio editing by Zacharia Vigneron. Music by Alexandre Jas.
