Protests in Georgia ongoing again, with tents in Tbilisi’s center
Photo: Georgian opposition protests again in the center of Tbilisi (ekhokavkaza.com)
On the evening of Sunday, November 24, opposition groups resumed protests in Tbilisi over the non-recognition of the country's parliamentary election. Law enforcement surrounded the parliament building and attempted to prevent the installation of tents, according to Echo of the Caucasus and Newsgeorgia.
At 9:00 PM (Tbilisi time), opposition members gathered at Republic Square. Among the participants were professors and lecturers from Tbilisi State University, as well as representatives of the cultural sector.
Around 10:00 PM, police surrounded the Georgian parliament building. The Ministry of Internal Affairs warned organizers and participants of the protest that measures would be taken if they attempted to block the building.
Later, a group of protesters stopped at the beginning of Rustaveli Avenue, with law enforcement preventing a convoy of vehicles from moving along with the march. Cars began passing through the crowd of protesters one by one.
Protesters returned from the parliament building to Republic Square and demanded that the road be cleared for the convoy.
Police formed a solid wall, preventing access to the side entrances of the parliament.
After 1:00 AM (Tbilisi time), there were significantly fewer protesters and police near the parliament. However, several tow trucks were stationed at Freedom Square.
Law enforcement may eventually announce that there are insufficient protesters to block the avenue, prompting the police to begin dismantling tents. Opposition leaders at the rally stated they were expecting reinforcements by 9:00 AM.
Temperatures in Tbilisi had dropped to +6°C. Protesters were lighting fires and warming themselves with hot drinks.
At 2:25 AM local time, experienced students arrived at Rustaveli Avenue with small tents, loungers, and cushions, setting up around the perimeter of the protest. The older generation remained at the center.
Georgian Dream Coalition leader Giorgi Vashadze announced plans to set up tents and urged police not to interfere with the opposition.
Law enforcement officers were mobilized near the parliament building. Protesters were unlikely to be allowed access to the upper entrance of the building.
Meanwhile, protesters unloaded vehicles near the parliament with tents, generators, mats, and food. Organizers planned to remain at the parliament overnight. Opposition members from the regions were also arriving to join the protest.
Updated at 5:00 AM (Kyiv time)
The most resilient remained on Rustaveli Avenue overnight. However, the crowd is sparse.
Police officers are standing at ease, awaiting orders.
Parliamentary session is illegal
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili announced on social media platform X that the parliamentary session scheduled for Monday, November 25, was unconstitutional.
"First, massive electoral fraud has undermined its legitimacy. Second, I refused to call the 1st session, and the Constitution does not recognize anyone to act as a substitute. Third, my appeal to the Constitutional court is pending," Zourabichvili stated.
Tomorrow’s meeting of the Parliament is unconstitutional: 1/massive electoral fraud has undermined its legitimacy.
— Salome Zourabichvili (@Zourabichvili_S) November 24, 2024
2/ I refused to called the 1st session and the Constitution does not recognize anyone to act as substitute.
3/my appeal to the Constitutional court is pending.
Georgian parliamentary election and protests
On October 26, parliamentary elections were held in Georgia. During the voting, observers recorded numerous violations, including illegal ballot stuffing.
According to the Central Election Commission's count, the pro-Russian party, Georgian Dream, won the election.
The opposition refused to recognize the results and announced a boycott of the new parliament.
In early November, opposition groups in Tbilisi began protesting against the election results. Daily protests were promised.
