Opposition’s Tbilisi rally against election results “temporarily disperses” to “revise strategy” to cause “greater Gov’t discomfort”

Protesters opposing Georgia's October general election results “temporarily dispersed” from central Melikishvili Avenue in Tbilisi on Wednesday, with opposition leaders pledging a “recalibrated strategy” to “heighten pressure” on the Government for a rerun of the vote.

The decision came after law enforcement dispersed the rally early on Tuesday, citing “violations of assembly laws”, and removed demonstrators’ tents. Protesters later reoccupied the site near the Tbilisi State University the same day.

Zura Japaridze, the leader of the Coalition for Change opposition, explained the group’s pivot, claiming the Government’s alleged decision to permit a roadblock on Melikishvili Avenue had rendered the tactic ineffective. 

“They changed their strategy, allowing us to block Melikishvili Avenue. For us, this action has no meaning”, he said, adding “we decided to reschedule, to think of another location or form of protest that would make them more uncomfortable”. 

Giorgi Vashadze, the leader of the Unity National Movement, highlighted regrouping efforts after police had seized “essential rally equipment”. 

He also vowed to persist, saying “we will gather strength. We have several versions [of plans] and will introduce them with other political leaders soon. We will fight for victory until the end”.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs, however, on Wednesday reiterated legal restrictions on roadblocks, citing the protest size as “insufficient to justify obstructing traffic” in an official statement. 

The body also warned demonstrators to clear the roadway within 15 minutes or face legal measures.

The Ministry further addressed claims by opposition-leaning media that law enforcement had used TSU facilities as a coordination hub before Tuesday’s dispersal. 

It stressed “no coordination staff had been established in the building or courtyard during this period, nor were any employees from the Special Tasks Department present there”.

The body clarified that criminal police officers had entered the TSU courtyard “only after protesters set up several fire hubs” near its central entrance, and noted the courtyard and pantheon were open spaces “accessible to anyone, including protest participants who had been using the area freely”. 

Meanwhile, a student group from the youth movement Dapioni is demanding the resignation of TSU Rector Jaba Samushia following the incident.

The rallies, fuelled by opposition allegations of vote fraud, reflect an escalating standoff as demonstrators challenge the legitimacy of the ruling Georgian Dream party’s fourth consecutive election victory.

Ruling party officials have called the claims “unfounded”, accusing the “radical wing” of the domestic opposition of aligning with “foreign interests” to “spark unrest” in the country.