Georgian opposition resumes protests in Tbilisi over election results
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The Georgian Central Election Commission confirmed the final results of the October parliamentary elections last week, with the ruling Georgian Dream party winning 53.93% of the vote and 89 of the 150 seats in parliament.
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Protesters gather in a street during a rally against the results of the parliamentary elections amid allegations that the vote was rigged in Tbilisi, Georgia on November 19, 2024. (AP)
Georgian opposition members who refuse to accept the results of the October parliamentary elections continued protests in Tbilisi on Saturday. Demonstrators have blocked Heroes Square in the city center, stating that their demonstration would go on until 10:00 p.m. local time (18:00 GMT).
The opposition party leaders have pledged to unveil a comprehensive plan for a demonstration on Sunday, the day before the newly elected parliament's first session.
The Georgian Central Election Commission confirmed the final results of the October parliamentary elections last week, with the ruling Georgian Dream party winning 53.93% of the vote and 89 of the 150 seats in parliament.
The Georgian Prosecutor's Office opened an investigation into the opposition's claims of election fraud, but most opposition members have not been cooperating with the office.
🇬🇪 Unplanned protest is starting: Protesters are starting to blockade #Tbilisi’s main roads. #TbilisiProtests pic.twitter.com/F1TT7Gt9bG
— Gocha Gogsadze (Little Soldier Fella) 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@fella_soldier) November 23, 2024
Georgian parliament to convene amid president's continued opposition
Georgia's newly-elected parliament is set to hold its first session on November 25, even if President Salome Zourabichvili refuses to schedule the meeting, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced Sunday.
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili, who has long been at odds with the elected administration, not only disputed the election results but also urged people to demonstrate in the streets. Zourabichvili must summon the new parliament within ten days of the final CEC protocol's release.
If the president declines to do so, the meeting will be held separately. The Georgian Prosecutor's Office has launched an inquiry into the opposition's allegations of electoral fraud, but the majority of opposition lawmakers have refused to cooperate.
This development comes as opposition parties rejected the results of the October 26 parliamentary elections, despite a recount being performed, alleging widespread fraud and demanding international oversight.
The ruling Georgian Dream party secured 53.93% of the vote, winning 89 of 150 seats in parliament. Four opposition parties, which collectively received 37.78%, claim the elections were marred by bribery, double voting, and physical violence. The opposition has called for a new vote and an international investigation into alleged irregularities.
In response to these allegations and public protests, the Central Election Commission (CEC) conducted a partial recount of ballots in late October, covering approximately 14% of polling stations across the country.
The recount reaffirmed the ruling Georgian Dream party’s victory, with the CEC declaring the results legitimate. However, opposition parties dismissed the recount as insufficient, maintaining their stance that the elections were fundamentally flawed.
"We assume that the president will again violate the constitution and will not schedule a parliamentary meeting," Kobakhidze told reporters. "In this case, the parliament will meet exactly on the 10th day after the announcement of the election results, that is, on November 25."
