Supporters of the opposition United National Movement gathered in central Tbilisi on Wednesday to listen to their leaders assuring them of victory in Saturday's polls. The event passed off peacefully and without incidents. Commonspace.eu special correspondent in Tbilisi, Felix Light mingled with the crowd, and later filed in this report.

Women are playing an increasing role in Georgian politics, but some think it is not enough. Dato Parulava explores the issue in this article for commonspace.eu.

"Patriarch Ilia's presence at the airport upon my arrival was a very important sign, as well as our visit to the Patriarchal Cathedral and our meeting which was very moving", Pope Francis said during a general audience at the Vatican on Wednesday.

EU Ambassador Janos Herman said "We condemn any form of violence and call on all parties and all participants of the campaign to keep calm"

The European Council on Wednesday decided to take the process to the next stage, and open negotiations with the European Parliament for the implementation of the measure.

Felix Light reports from Tbilisi for commonspace.eu ahead of parliamentary elections on Saturday

In a statement, Georgia's Prime Minister, Giorgi Kvirikashvili said: "What has happened this evening in Tbilisi is not only sabotage against the state, but also a provocation plotted by Georgia's enemies to instigate instability ahead of the elections."

"The responsibility for peace rests on the leaders of both countries, and we would reiterate their importance in finding a negotiated peace", said the Director of the State Department press office at a briefing.

Defence spending remains stable but defence expenditure will still amount to more than twice that spent on healthcare

As Georgia prepares to go to the polls on Saturday, 8 October, questions have again arisen about the reliability of opinion polls, and the possible manipulation of opinion and exit polls by different political forces.