Opposition Alliance Announces October 25 Rally Ahead of November Protest
By Messenger Staff
Friday, October 16, 2026
The Opposition Alliance, a coalition of nine Georgian opposition parties, has announced a rally in Tbilisi on October 25 under the slogan "Georgia without Ivanishvili. Georgia deserves better," launching a campaign against Georgian Dream's efforts to ban opposition parties.
The rally will begin at 7 p.m. at Tbilisi State University, with a larger demonstration planned for November 28, the second anniversary of protests sparked by the government's announcement that it would halt EU integration.
The announcement follows the Constitutional Court's decision to examine Georgian Dream's lawsuit against opposition parties on its merits. The parties said preliminary hearings are scheduled for October 21-23.
Opposition leader Nika Gvaramia said the case was about "depriving the country of democracy," pledging to continue resistance in court and on the streets.
"We will be everywhere: in courtrooms, in Batumi, and, most importantly, on the streets of Tbilisi," he said, identifying the campaign's central demand as "Georgia without Ivanishvili."
European Georgia chair Gigi Tsereteli said the rally aims to unite opposition parties, civic groups and individuals who believe free elections are essential.
Federalist Party leader Tamar Chergoleishvili said the October 25 gathering would launch a broader campaign culminating in the November 28 rally.
"With this desperate move, Ivanishvili is merely revealing that he does not trust the Georgian people or their choices," she said, adding that the opposition would expand peaceful protests to pressure him into making concessions.
Georgian Dream filed the lawsuit in November 2025, seeking to ban the United National Movement, Strong Georgia - Lelo and Ahali for Change. The case was expanded in April 2026 to include the Federalists and in September to add For Georgia, the only opposition party still represented in Parliament.
Each expansion required the lawsuit to be resubmitted, resetting the Constitutional Court's nine-month deadline. Although the repeated filings initially fueled speculation that the ruling party was delaying proceedings, the early resignation of Constitutional Court judge Manana Kobakhidze before hearings began raised concerns among opponents that Georgian Dream was serious about banning its political rivals.
