Watershed moment as Georgia goes to polls in tussle between Russia and west

Observers say country's democracy at stake after Moscow-aligned ruling party's threats to ban opposition

Georgians are heading to polls in a critical election that could determine whether one of the once most pro-western former Soviet states will veer towards a more authoritarian, Russia-aligned path.

For the past three decades, Georgia - a country of 3.6 million people nestled in the Caucasus mountains - has maintained strong pro-western aspirations, with polls showing up to 80% of its residents favour joining the EU.