TBILISI, Georgia — For the second consecutive Monday, thousands of opposition supporters gathered outside the Georgian parliament to protest the legitimacy of the October 26 elections. The ruling Georgian Dream party was declared the winner amid allegations of vote manipulation allegedly supported by Russia.
Demonstrators waved flags representing both Georgia and the European Union, calling for new parliamentary elections to be held under international oversight. They also demanded that investigations commence regarding the reported voting irregularities.
Leaders of the opposition expressed their intentions to boycott parliamentary sessions and organize continuous protests until their demands are satisfactorily addressed.
The ongoing protests unfolded with the presence of riot police, underscoring the escalating political tensions in the South Caucasian nation, which has a population of approximately 3.7 million and is nestled between Russia and Turkey.
According to the Central Election Commission, the ruling Georgian Dream party secured around 54% of the vote, a claim that party leaders vehemently contest, denying all allegations of electoral fraud.
President Salome Zourabichvili, who has dismissed the official election results, asserted that Georgia is experiencing undue pressure from Moscow as it seeks to align with the European Union. While her role is largely ceremonial, Zourabichvili has urged support from the United States and the EU for the ongoing demonstrations.
Calls for a thorough investigation into the election have come from officials in Washington and Brussels, but the Kremlin has denied any interference in the electoral process.
Founded by Bidzina Ivanishvili, a billionaire with ties to Russia, the Georgian Dream party has maintained power since 2012. The opposition has accused the party of adopting increasingly authoritarian measures and leaning towards Moscow, especially after implementing laws similar to those used by Russia to stifle free speech and curtail LGBTQ+ rights.
European election monitors described the elections as occurring within a “divisive” context, marred by reports of bribery, double voting, and physical confrontations. They noted that intimidation and other electoral violations were particularly rampant in rural regions.
The European Union has indefinitely paused Georgia’s membership application process following the introduction of a controversial “foreign influence law,” which many Georgians view as a crucial moment for assessing the country’s intent to join the EU.
While Georgian Dream has insisted that it will continue its push for EU membership, the party also aims to “reset” its relationship with Russia, a country with which Georgia fought a short war in 2008. Following the conflict, Moscow recognized the independence of two breakaway regions and enhanced its military presence in those territories.
In light of the ongoing situation, Georgian prosecutors announced last week that an inquiry into the alleged electoral manipulation was underway. However, opposition leaders immediately expressed skepticism, arguing that the Prosecutor’s Office lacks independence since its head was appointed by the Georgian Dream-controlled parliament.