Thousands protest in Georgia as opposition challenges election results

Georgian Dream secured 54% of the vote, but President claims the election was stolen. Opposition parties allege violations, while the EU and US call for an investigation. The Kremlin denies any interference in the voting process.

Thousands protested outside Georgia's parliament in Tbilisi on Monday after the governing Georgian Dream party won an election marred by voting irregularities.

Demonstrators, some holding anti-Russia banners, viewed the election as pivotal for the country's future, with Georgian Dream deepening ties with Russia while the opposition aims for quicker integration with Europe. Despite Georgia's application for EU membership, its candidate status was frozen due to legislation on foreign agents.

Georgian Dream, in power since 2012, received nearly 54% of the vote, according to the election commission. The four main opposition parties, rejecting the results, announced a boycott of parliament. 

President Salome Zourabichvili urged citizens to protest, stating, "You did not lose the elections. Your vote was stolen, and they tried to steal your future as well." She called for peaceful defense of their constitutional right to have their votes respected.

Monitors from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe noted incidents of vote-buying, voter intimidation, and ballot-stuffing but did not declare the election rigged. 

The election outcome poses a challenge to the EU's expansion plans in former Soviet states. NATO and the EU called for a full investigation. The US is in discussions with European partners regarding an appropriate investigative body and has warned of potential consequences if the Georgian government does not address its "anti-democratic actions."

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