Georgia has been plunged into a political crisis since the October legislative elections gave victory to the ruling “Georgian Dream” party. Demonstrators gathered in Tbilisi to protest the inauguration of the new president.
At least 2,000 demonstrators gathered in Tbilisi on Sunday before the contested inauguration of the Georgian president, awaiting a speech from the current pro-Western president Salomé Zourabichvili. The latter refused to leave power at the end of her mandate and demanded new elections.
Georgia is going through a period of political turbulence since the contested victory of the ruling “Georgian Dream” party in the legislative elections at the end of October, denounced by the opposition as tainted by irregularities. The opposition boycotts the new Parliament and demonstrations follow one another, without bending the power.
Months of political crisis are about to enter an unpredictable phase. Parliament, controlled by the ruling Georgian Dream party, is expected to soon inaugurate its loyalist Mikheil Kavelashvili, a former far-right footballer.
A journalist in Tbilisi saw a growing crowd of protesters outside the presidential palace, many carrying EU flags and chanting “Georgia!” Many clung to the gates of the presidential palace, decorated with a large Georgian flag and an EU flag.
Protesters accused “Georgian Dream” of rigging October’s parliamentary elections, demanding a new vote. They believe that this makes Mr. Kavelashvili’s inauguration illegitimate.
Ms. Zourabichvili had said she would spend the night at the palace, calling on protesters to come in the morning. His mandate must end with the inauguration of a successor. “I remain the only legitimate president of Georgia.”she declared in front of the presidential palace in front of a crowd of supporters. “I will leave the presidential palace to stand by your side, carrying with me the legitimacy, the flag and your trust“, she added.
Georgia has been plagued by protests throughout 2024. Opponents of the “Georgian Dream” accuse the conservative party of orienting Tbilisi toward Moscow rather than the Caucasus country’s long-standing goal of l accession to the European Union.
Georgia political president protesters
