Tens of thousands of Georgians have taken to the streets of Tbilisi to protest what they describe as a ‘stolen’ parliamentary election. The protests, which were peaceful, were a response to the weekend’s election results that saw the ruling Georgian Dream party declared the winner with 53.9% of the votes, according to the central election commission.
The opposition parties, which garnered 37.7% of the votes, have refused to recognize the results, alleging widespread electoral fraud and manipulation. President Salome Zourabishvili, who has aligned herself with the opposition, called the election “completely falsified” and urged the global community to support the Georgian people in their quest for fair elections.
The protests, held on Rustaveli Avenue outside the parliament building, saw demonstrators waving Georgian and European Union flags, demanding new elections under international supervision. The opposition has vowed not to enter the new parliament and has called for fresh elections to restore public trust and legitimacy.
The European Union and the United States have condemned the electoral irregularities and called for a thorough investigation. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that Georgians, like all Europeans, must be the architects of their own future and that electoral integrity must be upheld.
The central election commission has announced a partial vote recount from five polling stations randomly selected from each election district, but the opposition remains skeptical about the legitimacy of this process. Data analysts have provided evidence of ballot stuffing and miscounting, particularly in rural areas).
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, arrived in Tbilisi on Monday for a two-day visit, despite the ongoing tensions. His visit has been seen as controversial given Hungary‘s close ties with Russia and the current political climate in Georgia).
The situation in Georgia remains tense, with the government preparing for further protests and the opposition determined to fight for what they believe is their rightful victory. The country’s path towards European integration hangs in the balance as these political developments unfold).
