Pro-European opposition protests continue in Georgia, which began following the announcement of parliamentary election results. After violent dispersals of demonstrators on the night of November 30, people are once again taking to the streets of major cities.
This is reported by NewsGeorgia. It is noted that thousands have gathered again in front of the parliament in Tbilisi, and security forces have also brought in equipment with water cannons. Demonstrations are taking place not only in Tbilisi but also in Kutaisi, Batumi, Khachuri, and Zugdidi.
During the day, demonstrators blocked the entrances to the First Channel of the Georgian Public Broadcaster. They called for an end to the spread of false information and for objective coverage of the events.
As reported by Echo of the Caucasus, Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili stated that the parliament is not legitimate and will not be able to elect a new president; consequently, the inauguration will not take place, and her mandate will continue until a new president is elected by the new parliament. Previously, the pro-Russian "Georgian Dream" scheduled the presidential elections for December 14.
"I want to tell the public that here, with the president, who is the only independent, legitimate institution, there is a national consensus. Tomorrow, society and political parties will meet with me. Together, we govern the political process that you manage from outside, on the streets, and in various sectors of society," said Zourabichvili.
The protests in Tbilisi spontaneously began on Thursday, immediately after the reappointed Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced that Georgia is freezing negotiations for EU membership until 2028.
At the end of October, parliamentary elections were held in Georgia. The contest was between the ruling party "Georgian Dream," which has been in power for 12 years, and pro-European opposition political forces. According to the Central Election Commission of Georgia, the ruling party, which is also considered pro-Russian, received over 54% of the votes, allowing it to unilaterally form the government.
President Salome Zourabichvili and the pro-European opposition parties did not recognize the election results. Protests began in Tbilisi at the end of October.