Georgian parliament opens amidst protests

Georgia’s parliament opened amid protests and an opposition boycott over disputed elections. Accusations of fraud and authoritarianism strain ties with the EU, raising concerns about the country’s democratic future and Western alignment.

Georgia’s parliament convened on 25 November, following a disputed election and a boycott by opposition parties. The session, attended only by the ruling Georgian Dream party, faced protests outside the Soviet-era parliament building, with demonstrators accusing the party of electoral fraud and pro-Russian bias.

The 26 October election results showed Georgian Dream winning 54% of the vote, but opposition groups and European observers reported violations, including bribery and double voting. Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili called the assembly unconstitutional, citing evidence of fraud, and filed a lawsuit with the Constitutional Court.

Protesters clashed with riot police outside parliament, as opposition leader Nika Melia vowed to resist what he called an authoritarian regime. Critics accuse Georgian Dream of tilting towards Moscow further straining Georgia’s relations with the EU, which recently suspended its membership bid.

The disputed election has intensified doubts over Georgia’s democratic future and Western integration.

Copied