Tens of thousands of people in the Black Sea republic of Georgia have demonstrated for closer ties with the European Union just a week before a crucial parliamentary election. Under the slogan “Georgia chooses the European Union,” they gathered at various locations in the capital, Tbilisi, and marched to a concluding event at Freedom Square on Sunday. They waved the flags of the EU and Georgia and played the European anthem. “We want to join the EU, and our current government is not helping with that,” said a demonstrator. The event is backed by several non-governmental organizations. Oppositi…