Thousands of opposition supporters rallied outside Georgia’s parliament Monday, demanding new internationally supervised elections and denouncing the ruling Georgian Dream party’s claimed victory in October 26 parliamentary elections amid allegations of Russian interference.
Protesters waving Georgian and European Union flags demanded an investigation into alleged election fraud after the Central Election Commission reported the governing party won 54% of the vote. Opposition leader Giorgi Vashadze of the Unity National Movement Coalition vowed to “fight until the end.”
“Elections were massively rigged, that is why we don’t recognize election results,” Vashadze told demonstrators. “Our goal is new elections, our goal is to form the new government, which will drive Georgia to European integration.”
European election observers reported the vote occurred in a “divisive” atmosphere marked by bribery, double voting, and physical violence. Opposition parties have pledged to boycott parliament and maintain protests until their demands are met.
The opposition accuses Georgian Dream, founded by Russian-made billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, of growing authoritarianism and alignment with Moscow. The party recently passed legislation similar to Russian laws restricting free speech and LGBTQ+ rights.
President Salome Zourabichvili, who holds a largely ceremonial role, rejected the official results and accused Moscow of pressuring Georgia over its EU aspirations. The EU indefinitely suspended Georgia’s membership application process after the country passed a Russian-style “foreign influence law” in June.
Several EU lawmakers attended Monday’s demonstration, including Lithuanian parliament member Zygimantas Pavilionis, who told protesters, “Somebody is trying to take your freedom, somebody is trying to take your democracy, your country, your membership in EU and NATO. Don’t give up.”
While U.S. and EU officials have called for a thorough investigation, the Kremlin denies interference allegations. Georgian Dream leaders reject claims of vote fraud.
