Thousands in Protest after Georgian Presidential Change

The protests continue after Saturday's disputed election of a new president in Georgia. In the capital Tbilisi, the city is forced to postpone lighting the Christmas tree outside the parliament.

» Published: December 14 2024

Thousands in Protest after Georgian Presidential Change
Photo: Zurab Tsertsvadze/AP/TT

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On Saturday, a new president was elected in Georgia for the first time by an electoral college in parliament, instead of through a traditional referendum.

The opposition has condemned the election as "illegitimate" and claims that the sitting president, Salomé Zourabichvili, is still the country's only legitimate leader.

On Saturday evening, local authorities had planned to light the lights on a large Christmas tree outside parliament, but the mayor of Tbilisi was forced to postpone the event due to the "radical opposition's" actions.

Thousands of demonstrators have gathered outside parliament to protest against the government.

When Zourabichvili appeared before them, she was met with applause.

I am with you, and you are in my heart, she said to the jubilant crowd as the demonstrators chanted:

Long live Georgia's president!

To achieve peace and justice, new elections are necessary. That's why we're here - calm, quiet, and without turmoil, added Zourabichvili.

Zourabichvili is very popular among the demonstrators, and many see her as a guiding star for Georgia's path into the EU. She calls Saturday's vote "a mockery of democracy".

For more than two weeks, demonstrators have been protesting against the election results in October - which they consider illegitimate. The police have repeatedly fired tear gas and water cannons at the protests, and over 400 demonstrators have been arrested, according to the Social Justice Centre.

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By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

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