Georgia's Big Decision: West or East?

In just a few days, Georgia will choose its next parliament. The stakes are high because it could decide the country's future: closer to the West or more aligned with Russia. Polls suggest that people might be ready for a shift. Groups wanting to join NATO and the EU seem to be leading. But the ruling party, Georgian Dream, has been cozying up to Russia. They even accused the opposition of starting a war, like in Ukraine. Tens of thousands of people have been rallying in the capital, Tbilisi, to voice their support for the West. The election could be a big deal for President Putin too. If the opposition wins, it could be a loss for him. But if Georgian Dream wins, the West might look bad. There have been concerns about vote-buying and intimidation in past elections. And recently, there was a new law that critics say hurts media and charities. The U. S. and EU even cut back on aid because of it. Both sides are hoping for a fair vote. Some say the line between the ruling party and the state is blurry, which could make things unfair.