Thousands of Georgian opposition supporters once again gathered in Tbilisi, demanding new parliamentary elections under international supervision and an investigation into alleged electoral fraud.
ADVERTISINGThousands of opposition supporters gathered for the second consecutive time on Monday in front of the Georgia Parliament to denounce the illegitimacy of the October 26 elections. The ruling party in Georgia, Georgian Dreamwas declared winner amid accusations of electoral fraud with help from Russia.
The protesters, waving Georgian and European Union flags, They demanded new parliamentary elections under international supervision and an investigation into alleged irregularities in the elections. Opposition leaders They promised to boycott Parliament sessions and hold periodic protests until their demands were met.
“We will not accept illegitimate elections; we will not recognize a Parliament illegitimate,” he declared Badri Japaridzecoalition leader Lelo by Georgia. “We will not go to that parliament, and we will not let Georgian Dream announce itself as the legitimate representative of the Georgian people, because they have stolen the elections. This is a special operation backed by Russiain which the future of the Georgian people has been stolen, and we will not accept it.
According to the Central Election Commission, Georgian Dream received around 54% of the votes. Its leaders have rejected opposition accusations of fraud. President Salome Zourabichvili, who has rejected the official results, claims that Georgia has been a victim of pressure from Moscow against its EU membership. Zourabichvili, who holds a largely ceremonial position, has urged the US and EU to support the demonstrations.
officials of Washington y Brussels They have urged a full investigation into the election, while the Kremlin has rejected accusations of interference. Giorgi Vashadze, leader of the United National Movement Coalitionstated that the opposition is urging the West not to recognize the vote and will gather more evidence of violations to press for new elections. He promised to organize protests not only in the capital, but throughout the country.
A rocky road to EU membership
DreamGeorgianin power since 2012, was created by Bidzina Ivanishvilia shadowy billionaire who made his fortune in Russia. The opposition has accused him of becoming increasingly authoritarian and leaning towards Moscow.. Recently, it has passed laws similar to those used by the Kremlin to suppress freedom of expression and the rights of homosexuals, bisexuals and transgender people.
European election observers said elections were held in an atmosphere of “divisiveness” marked by cases of bribery, double voting and physical violence. Observers noted that cases of intimidation and other violations were especially prevalent in rural areas. The EU indefinitely suspended the accession process of Georgia due to the passage in June of a Russian-style “foreign agents” law. Many Georgians saw the parliamentary elections as a decisive referendum on the country’s entry into the EU.
“It makes me angry that right now we are not at all on the path of the European Union,” said Tbilisi resident Tornike Tsiramua, expressing hope that the protests will escalate. “These elections have been fraudulent; we have all the evidence, and we must pressure our government to ensure that the elections are held fairly and freely.” Georgian Dream vowed to continue pushing towards EU accessionbut he also wanted to “reestablish” ties with Russia, the country’s former imperial master. In 2008, Georgia fought and lost a brief war with Moscowwhich then recognized the independence of two Georgian separatist regions and reinforced its military presence in them.
The Georgia Prosecutor’s Office began an investigation last week into alleged electoral fraud. The opposition immediately objected that the Prosecutor’s Office would not carry out an independent investigation because its head had been appointed by the Parliament, controlled by the Georgian Dream. The Central Election Commission requested the investigation, and Zourabichvili was summoned for questioning on Thursday about the allegations.. The Prosecutor’s Office said that other people “who may possess information related to the alleged criminal act” would also be questioned. Zourabichvili said he would not obey the subpoena, arguing that prosecutors should have found the evidence themselves.
What is ‘Russian law’?
This is a controversial measure that tightens controls and increases fines on organizations that receive funds from abroad. Since its approval, any company (including media and NGOs) must register as “defenders of the interests of a foreign power“if you receive more than 20% of their foreign funds.
The opposition has defined this bill as the ‘Russian law’, for which parallelisms with the Moscow’s use of similar measures to repress independent media and activists.
The election campaign was dominated by foreign policy and marked by a bitter fight for votes and accusations of a smear campaign. European election observers stated that the elections took place in a “divisive” environment marked by intimidation and cases of vote buying, double voting and physical violence.