A coalition of pro-Western opposition forces hopes to win parliamentary elections in Georgia this Saturday, facing off against the ruling Georgian Dream party, accused of authoritarian and pro-Russian leanings.
Here are the four main formations in this election, which are key to the democratic future of the Caucasian country of 3.7 million inhabitants.
"Unity to save Georgia"
This alliance is led by the United National Movement (UNM), the main opposition force founded in 2001 by former president Mikheil Saakashvili, who is now in prison.
This centrist, staunchly pro-Western party wants to continue reform efforts undertaken during Saakashvili's 2004-2013 tenure that helped democratize the former Soviet republic.
Nevertheless, END faced a lot of criticism in Georgian society, because while these hasty reforms boosted economic growth, they left part of the population on the sidelines. Saakashvili's critics also accuse him of authoritarianism.
The party is now led by a young and energetic MP, Tina Bokuchava, who has a degree from an American university.
According to a recent study by the American Institute "Edison Research" voter support for this alliance is 19%.
"Coalition for Change"
With 13% support, according to the "Edison Research" survey, the "Coalition for Change" unites several parties led by former leaders of END.
The coalition includes the party "Ahali", recently founded by the former Minister of Justice and well-known opposition journalist Nika Gwaramia and the former chairman of END Nika Melia.
Both Gwaramia and Melia, who studied in the US, were briefly jailed in recent years before being released under Western pressure.
This center-right alliance aims to attract the votes of young people and regain the electoral base that END lost after the leadership crisis last year.
"Strong Georgia"
The center-left union "Strong Georgia" is led by the party "Lelo" of former banker Mamuka Khazaradze, who was also educated in the USA. The union campaigned on populist promises such as increasing pensions. It is estimated that 12% of eligible voters plan to vote for him.
This union also includes small parties founded by prominent human rights defenders such as Ana Dolidze and Alexander Elisashvili. It boasts the largest proportion of women and senior civil servants on its list.
Although the alliance "Strong Georgia" agreed to enter into a coalition with the EN, its leaders are known to be fierce critics of that party, as well as of the ruling party "Georgian Dream".
"For Georgia"
This left-wing party was founded by the former prime minister from the "Georgian Dream" Giorgi Gakharia, who is trying to attract the votes of voters disillusioned with the ruling party. It is believed that the party "For Georgia" enjoys the support of 11% of voters who have declared their intention to vote.
The party agreed to participate in a future coalition government with the opposition forces only on the condition that it is composed entirely of apolitical specialists and does not include a single senior END cadre.
Some criticize Gaharia for his role in the police crackdown on anti-government protests in 2019
He resigned as prime minister in 2021 after less than a year and a half in office, citing disagreements with the "Georgian dream".
This Moscow-educated politician presents himself as a man with a strong pro-Western orientation, but some are wary of his intentions.
(BTA/Asen Georgiev)