Public protest being held in Tbilisi over parliamentary elections results
The domestic opposition parties and alliances that surpassed the five-percent election threshold have dismissed the election results as “rigged” and announced their plans to reject their parliamentary mandates and withdraw their election lists. Photo: IPN
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A public protest organised by domestic opposition parties is being held on Monday outside the Georgian Parliament in the country’s capital Tbilisi to protest the results of the parliamentary elections held last month.
The demonstration involves the Unity - National Movement platform, Coalition for Change and Strong Georgia opposition groups.
Nika Melia, one of the leaders of Coalition for Change, said the protest would “continue until new elections” were called, and announced a further rally scheduled for Tuesday at Tbilisi Sports Palace, urging participants to gather “daily”.
Law enforcement officers and several ambulance crews are present outside the Parliament building, with police securing the courtyard and closing all entrances to the venue, the local media said.
In the elections, the ruling Georgian Dream party secured 53.9 percent of the vote, followed by the Coalition for Change with 11 percent, Unity to Save Georgia with 10.1 percent, Strong Georgia with 8.8 percent, and Gakharia for Georgia with 7.7 percent.
The domestic opposition parties and alliances that surpassed the five-percent election threshold have dismissed the election results as “rigged” and announced their plans to reject their parliamentary mandates and withdraw their election lists.