Politics New mass protests in Georgia
Thousands of Georgians demonstrated again this evening in Tbilisi against what they see as the illegitimate government and for the release of imprisoned participants in earlier protest rallies. According to media reports, a human chain that stretched through the entire capital turned into a large crowd that gathered in front of the parliament building of the South Caucasus republic in the evening. The rally was initially peaceful. Protests were also reported from other cities.
28.12.2024, 22:00
SDA
The inauguration of the new President Mikhail Kavelashvili is scheduled for Sunday in Tbilisi. The pro-Western head of state Salome Zurabishvili, who took part in the rallies on Saturday, wants to prevent this and has repeatedly emphasized that she will not relinquish her office. She does not recognize the election of 14 December and is calling for new elections with the support of mass protests. The head of state performs more representative tasks in the country, which also has a long border with Russia.
Zurabishvili called on her supporters to gather in front of the presidential palace on Sunday. "I am waiting for you in front of the Orbeliani Palace," she was quoted as saying by the NewsGeorgia agency. She will then decide with her supporters how to proceed over the next few days.
For weeks, thousands of people have been demonstrating daily for a return to the country's EU course and for a repeat of the parliamentary elections in October, when the national-conservative ruling party Georgian Dream was declared the winner. Georgian Dream had nominated Kavelashvili for the presidency. The 53-year-old has been a member of the Georgian parliament since 2016. Before that, he was a footballer for various clubs at home and abroad.
The Georgian Dream had put the country's EU accession negotiations on hold until 2028, triggering protests from pro-Western Georgians. This led to violent riots, injuries and several hundred arrests. The police are accused of violence and torture.
