Coalition for Change opposition rejects parliamentary mandates following elections

Coalition for Change, an opposition group involving Ahali, Girchi - More Freedom, and Droa parties, on Sunday said it was rejecting parliamentary mandates following Saturday’s elections in Georgia.

The Coalition said it was “not going to legitimise votes stolen from Georgian citizens” by entering the legislative body. The group received 10.92 percent of the votes according to the current results from the Central Election Commission.

Mamuka Khazaradze, one of the leaders of Strong Georgia - another opposition coalition  also rejected the election results earlier today.

Khazaradze pledged his coalition would “continue defending voters’ rights and standing with our people in pursuit of truth”, after the group received 8.78 percent of the votes.

Former Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia, who leads the opposition For Georgia party, claimed the results published by the Commission were “not reflecting the will of the Georgian people”. The party received 7.76 percent of the votes.

Tina Bokuchava, the leader of the United National Movement party, said the position of the Unity coalition over the non-recognition of the election results was implying that they were not going to enter the Parliament.

Preliminary data from the Commission indicates the  ruling Georgian Dream party will be represented by 89 MPs in the new Parliament.

Four opposition parties and alliances are also expected to gain seats, collectively holding a total of 61 mandates.