Opposition holds protest rally in Tbilisi, remains ‘united'
Opposition parties are holding a large-scale rally in Tbilisi today to remind the ruling party leader Bidzina Ivanishvili ‘that the opposition will not accept election results’. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Tweet 
Share
Opposition parties and their supporters have again gathered in front of the parliament of Georgia in central Tbilisi to protest the results of the recent parliamentary elections.
The United National Movement (UNM) leader Nika Melia claimed in his public address that the opposition remains strongly united and no one, including the ‘special services of the regime’, will be able to harm their unity.
There is no way that this regime would survive!” Melia said in his address, adding that it is not only the Central Election Commission (CEC) that has rigged the elections, but the Prosecutor’s Office, the government and the entire ‘regime’.
Speaking of the ‘anti-state’ and ‘hostile’ role of the CEC chair Tamar Zhvania in rigging the elections, Melia said 'free elections will be held in this country for many more times' but without the ruling Georgian Dream party leader Bidzina Ivanishvili.
Calling their protest ‘a continuous fight’ Melia welcomed the opposition’s unanimous decision not to take up their parliamentary mandates. This, he said, will lead to their eventual victory.
Meanwhile, no substantial progress has been achieved at an earlier meeting between the ruling Georgian Dream party and opposition politicians aimed to find the solution to the current political deadlock.
However, opposition parties have unanimously stated that although they are 'ready for the constructive dialogue', the opposition remains united, demanding the repeat parliamentary elections.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who will be travelling to Georgia on November 17-18, will hold meetings with representatives of Georgia’s ‘vibrant civil society’ along with senior government officials.
The ruling Georgian Dream party and opposition politicians have held a second round of negotiations at the United States Ambassador Kelly Degnan’s residence earlier today. The parties have agreed not to reveal the details of the meeting.
The Central Election Commission (CEC) has announced that the second round of parliamentary elections will be held in Georgia on November 21. The CEC announced late yesterday that a majoritarian race will be held in 17 out of the total 30 constituencies; mayoral by-elections will also be held in Kutaisi.
MEPs Andrius Kubilius, Rasa Jukneviciene and Lithuanian MP Zygimantas Pavilionis have responded to the Georgian opposition’s election-related rallies in Tbilisi and said in a joint statement that the Georgian government should start a dialogue with the opposition.
Head of Tbilisi Infectious Disease Hospital Tengiz Tsertsvadze has called on Georgian citizens to maintain coronavirus-related safety regulations and avoid crowded gatherings.
The ruling Georgian Dream party says it will not consider holding repeat parliamentary elections, Tbilisi Mayor and the ruling party secretary general Kakha Kaladze has announced in response to the opposition's demand.
The US Department of State has released a long statement by its two senior officials (who have not been identified) earlier today, following the visit of US state Secretary Mike Pompeo to Georgia.
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia says that the November 21 election run-off in 17 election constituencies is of top importance for the country to return to a ‘normal and legal political process.' Gakharia stated earlier today that in the October 31 parliamentary elections the Georgian people came to ballot boxes amid the pandemic and allowed nine political parties to enter parliament. He stated that a stable political process in the country is vital for Georgia to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, economic crisis and regional challenges.
The Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara has held its first session today while the opposition held a rally outside the building of the Supreme Council during which four people were detained.