In Tbilisi, on Chavchavadze Avenue near the first building of Tbilisi State University, representatives of the Coalition for Change and Unity - National Movement have set up tents and announced a 24-hour continuous protest.
News
Trending stories
- 1 Protests Erupt in Abkhazia Over Russia-Favored Law, Opposition Members Arrested
- 2 Georgian Dream to Hold Demonstration in Tbilisi on October 23
- 3 Russia Lost Another Case at Strasbourg Court on "Foreign Agents" Legislation
- 4 Edison: 13% Discrepancy Between Exit Polls and CEC Results Suggests Manipulation
- 5 Kobakhidze: German Chancellor Should Be More Concerned About His Own Problems
- 6 US-Sanctioned Russian Propagandist Present in Georgia During Elections
"It's enough to stroll, walk, and squeal. Everything is ready! We are taking back our homeland! We are shutting everything down. We take responsibility as the people who received the most votes from the Georgian population, those who declared that we are going to Europe - and yes, we are going to Europe.
This protest will continue here for 24 hours. Who among you is ready to stand against captivity, the cold, and the Russian regime? This homeland is ours, the future is ours, and we are going to Europe! There will be no traffic on this highway or any other highways. Slowly but purposefully and methodically, we will reclaim our country peacefully.
This country belongs to us. We apologize for the inconvenience - that you might not be able to walk freely these days. But we are all working together to ensure that our history and our future can walk freely to Europe. We are ready for anything. I repeat: the responsibility lies with us, the leaders. The responsibility is on us, but our strength is in you," declared Nika Gvaramia, leader of the Coalition for Change, addressing the gathered crowd before pitching the tents.
Currently, three tents have been set up near the first building of the university. Participants of the rally on Rustaveli Avenue have joined those already present. Due to the demonstration, cars can no longer move along Melikishvili and Chavchavadze Avenues or from Varaziskhevi towards Kekelidze Street.
"The resistance movement has begun - we are not going to stop. We will not follow the Dream agenda, nor will we succumb to their violent plans. We are a non-violent, determined resistance movement. Tonight, we will stay here for 24 hours, informing you about all future plans. This will continue until there are new, fair elections - elections that the Georgian people deserve. Everything has been prepared. This is not a chaotic process, it is a planned process," said Elene Khoshtaria, founder of the Droa party.
"By morning, the Russian disinformation machine will be mobilized, claiming that people have left, that no one is here, and so on. But we are all here, and we are not going anywhere. Everything you need is here - coffee, tea, chargers, and more. The police might think that between 4 and 6 a.m., they can disperse us. But they won’t succeed if there are enough of us," stated Khatia Dekanoidze, one of the leaders of Unity - National Movement.
Representatives of two other political forces that crossed the parliamentary threshold - the coalition Strong Georgia and the party Gakharia for Georgia - are also present at the rally.
"We stand with our voters and protest against the hijacked elections. We are prepared to continue our uninterrupted protest at any location alongside our people. Our political party has made this decision," said Zaza Tavadze, a member of the Gakharia for Georgia party and former chairman of the Constitutional Court.
On November 16, the Central Election Commission (CEC) approved the summary protocol for the parliamentary elections held on October 26. As per CEC data, the number of votes, percentages, and mandates received by the parties that passed the threshold are as follows:
- Georgian Dream – 1 120 053 votes, 53.93%, 89 mandates;
- Coalition for Change – 229 161 votes, 11.03%, 19 mandates;
- Unity - National Movement – 211 216 votes, 10.17%, 16 mandates;
- Strong Georgia – 182 922 votes, 8.81%, 14 mandates;
- Gakharia for Georgia – 161 521 votes, 7.78%, 12 mandates.
Members of the opposition reject the results announced by the CEC and refuse to enter parliament, claiming the elections were "totally falsified." They are demanding an international investigation and new elections. The President of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili, also does not recognize the elections as legitimate. Meanwhile, Georgian Dream plans to hold the first session of the newly elected parliament on November 25.
