In Tbilisi, Georgia’s capital, chaos erupted as police clashed with protesters opposing the controversial results of last month’s parliamentary elections. Early Tuesday morning, law enforcement moved in to dismantle a protest camp that had blocked a major road, only to see thousands of demonstrators return to re-establish their presence. This ongoing protest, ignited by the October 26 election that allowed the ruling Georgian Dream party to maintain power, is fueled by allegations of electoral fraud and suspicions of Russian interference.
As tensions escalated, several protesters were detained during the police operation. The atmosphere was charged, with many demonstrators waving EU flags, signaling their desire for European integration. By evening, the number of protesters swelled to several thousand, as they once again set up camp in defiance of the authorities. Elene Khoshtaria, leader of the Coalition for Change, vowed to continue the demonstrations, stating, “There was absolutely no reason for dispersal, but it will not stop our resistance. It’s their mistake, their weakness, and they will pay the price for it.”
Political Turmoil and Legal Battles
President Salome Zourabichvili, who has publicly rejected the election results, has taken her fight to the courts, filing a lawsuit claiming violations of constitutional principles regarding the secrecy and universality of the vote. Zourabichvili, whose role is largely ceremonial, has accused the government of succumbing to Moscow’s pressure against Georgia’s aspirations to join the EU. Critics of the Georgian Dream party, founded by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, argue that it has grown increasingly authoritarian and aligned with Russian interests.
Recent legislative actions by the party, mirroring Kremlin tactics, have raised alarms about freedom of speech and LGBTQ+ rights in Georgia. The Central Election Commission reported that Georgian Dream secured approximately 54 percent of the vote, while European observers noted a “divisive” electoral environment marred by bribery, double voting, and violence. The EU has since suspended Georgia’s membership application process indefinitely, following the passage of a law that requires organizations receiving significant foreign funding to register as foreign agents, a move seen as an attempt to stifle dissent.