Skip to main content
Advertise Buy the paper Contact us Shop Subscribe Support us
Georgian opposition plan protest against general election result won by governing party

OPPOSITION supporters in Georgia are planning protests against the conduct and results of the weekend’s parliamentary election in which the ruling party was declared victorious.

The country’s Central Election Commission said on Sunday that the governing Georgian Dream party received 54.8 per cent of Saturday's votes. 

But there have been accusations of voting irregularities and claims of Russian meddling in the election.

Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili said  the country had fallen victim to a “Russian special operation” aimed at pulling it under Moscow’s control and derailing its plan to join the European Union.

Ms Zourabichvili, a fierce critic of the governing party, urged Georgians to rally in the capital Tbilisi, last night to protest against what she called a “total falsification, a total stealing of your votes.” 

Georgian Dream has vowed to continue the push toward EU accession but also to reset ties with Russia.

European electoral observers said the election took place in a “divisive” environment marked by intimidation and instances of vote buying, double voting and physical violence.

More from this author
World / 28 November 2024
28 November 2024
World / 28 November 2024
28 November 2024
Britain / 28 November 2024
28 November 2024
More than 60 signatories urge Foreign Minister to sanction Israel in line with ICC and ICJ
Features / 27 November 2024
27 November 2024
As the massive debt burden continues to bite and the climate emergency worsens, the world’s developing countries must escape the abusive relationship of debt enslavement that is holding them back, says ROGER McKENZIE