Tamar, Where Are You?

The Georgian opposition was rallying once again Monday night to protest the results of the parliamentary elections, announcing that ongoing demonstrations will continue from this point forward.

A young woman sits in front of the Georgian parliament, draped in the Georgian flag. Like many people here, she seems to be waiting to see how Georgia’s story will unfold.

Tbilisi, Georgia, 02.11.2024

Last night in Mziuri Park, located in Tbilisi’s Vake District, the newly founded Freedom Square Movement of the Strong Georgia coalition organized a public sit-in to discuss the post-election situation and potential next steps.

While the opposition in Georgia is still working on a plan on how to move forward, which they will announce next Monday evening during a protest rally on Rustaveli Avenue, they continue to ask the international community not to let the country fall out of focus.

Look at this country; look at these people.

The Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia summoned President Salome Zourabichvili for questioning regarding allegations that the elections were rigged. However, she refuses to appear, stating that the burden of proof should not be on her but on the prosecutors. She emphasized that „the public expects an immediate investigation, not demands for evidence from me.“

While international parties are watching, the president remains confident that everything will work out in the end. „But I am not afraid! You shouldn’t be either! Everything will proceed calmly, and the true results will emerge.“

Yesterday, about 100 students organized by the group Dafioni took to the streets to voice their conviction, that they will not be silenced over the rigging of the parliamentary elections. „We choose Europe“ — yes, and we would gladly welcome you.

When President Salome Zourabichvili entered the stage at last night’s protest against the rigged parliamentary elections on Tbilisi’s Rustaveli Avenue, in front of the Georgian parliament, she was greeted by the crowd with chants of „Salome, Salome.“

Ever since the start of the protests against the so-called Russian Law last year, and especially this year, she has earned a lot of respect for her commitment to the European path, standing up against the ruling party and for her role in uniting the opposition to the extent that they could actually play a significant part in the election.

In her speech, according to media reports, she once again called for a thorough investigation into the rigging of the election in order to ultimately defend the vote of the people, confirming her conviction to „stay until the end of this European path.“

Last night, I was having dinner with friends, and of course, the conversations centered around the elections and what to do next. Wasn’t it to be expected that they would be rigged? What’s going to happen now? How will the international community, especially the USA and Europe, react? Most importantly, what action plan will the opposition come up with? Regardless of what was said, everyone kept concluding with, “Let’s wait until 9 PM, when the President will give her speech.”

Then she did, and declared that the elections were completely rigged, that she would not recognize the results, and called for protests starting tonight, once again on Rustaveli Avenue in front of the parliament. However, there was no indication of whether the opposition had a plan moving forward.

Dinner with friends, with Lisa Karalashvili, Ira Lomashvili, Levan Kherkheulidze and Otar Karalashvili.

Election Day has come and gone, yet there are still more questions than answers. With a relatively high voter turnout but numerous reports of fraudulent activities at polling stations across the country, violent assaults on election observers and opposition representatives, and opposition parties rejecting the „official“ results announced by the government-controlled election commission, the outcome remains uncertain. Georgia, where are you going?

For us, there’s only one thing we can do — now more than before: look at this country, look at these people.

Some impressions from yesterday, made at polling stations in Saburtalo, Tbilisi.