The lighting of the main Christmas tree in front of the Parliament building in Tbilisi was postponed. Kakha Kaladze, the Mayor of the capital and General Secretary of Georgian Dream, announced the decision just minutes before the event was scheduled to begin.
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According to Kakha Kaladze, "the radical opposition took the place of children in front of the Christmas tree," and "aggressive protesters" have gathered on Rustaveli Avenue.
"We decided to postpone the lighting of the New Year's Christmas tree and the celebration. This event will take place when the radical opposition stops interfering with the children and allows them to participate in lighting the Christmas tree," said Kaladze during a briefing held at the government administration.
The capital's main Christmas tree was scheduled to be lit at 19:00. Earlier in the day, the illegitimate parliament elected Mikheil Kavelashvili as the President of Georgia. Citizens had gathered in front of the Parliament building in the morning, coinciding with the so-called presidential elections.
Shortly before the planned event, supporters of Georgian Dream appeared near Rustaveli Avenue. Illegal parliament members Geno Petriashvili and Lasha Talakhadze were also present.
President Salome Zourabichvili was also present on Rustaveli Avenue.
"We are all here for one reason. If there is no justice in this country, there will be no peace that everyone desires. New elections are needed for peace and justice. That is why we are here, quietly, calmly, and without disorder," Zourabichvili told journalists.
Over the past two weeks, police forces have repeatedly dispersed peaceful protesters on Rustaveli Avenue. The protesters are demonstrating against the government's suspension of the European integration process and demanding new parliamentary elections. Special forces have brutally assaulted protesters and media representatives, arresting approximately 500 people on various charges.
In this context, Salome Zourabichvili described the planned lighting of the Nadzivi tree as a potential provocation. On December 13, she addressed Kakha Kaladze, stating, "If this is not a provocation, then barbarism is approaching. I suggest he move the event to Orbeliani Square, bring the children there, and organize the celebration he intended to hold in front of the Parliament."
