Opposition, civic activists resume protest rally at parliament

Representatives of opposition parties and civic activists have resumed demonstrations in downtown Tbilisi aimed to re-block the parliament of Georgia and prevent legislators enter the building tomorrow.

Having gathered in front of the parliament earlier today they marched around the building in attempt to re-block it. However, police, who were present at parliament since morning, prevented them from doing so.

Demonstrators marched from the Republic Square to Rustaveli Avenue in front of the parliament of Georgia saying "dare to protest". Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge

After the peaceful march around the legislative body, politicians and activists returned to the main venue in front of the parliament building and addressed the crowd, calling on them to continue protest until their demands are met.

Several tents have been placed in front of the parliament on Rustaveli Avenue as some of the demonstrators are staying overnight there not to let ruling party MPs attend the plenary session.

Earlier today, the ruling Georgian Dream party announced in response to ongoing electoral turmoil that 2020 parliamentary elections will be conducted in a mixed electoral system and the “topic is closed.” 

Protest rallies were initially triggered by the MPs' rejection to approve electoral changes aimed to move the country from the current mixed system to a fully proportional one starting 2020. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge

The ruling party accepted the transition to a fully proportional electoral system starting 2020 instead of 2024 [as the current state constitution reads] during Tbilisi protests in late June.

However, the ruling party majoritarian MPs refused to vote for the bill proposed by their own party on November 14 that is why the bill was rejected, sparking protests in Tbilisi.

On November 18 police dispersed a rally in front of parliament building as demonstrators blocked the entrances of the legislative body and did not allow MPs in.