Autor: andreasokphoto

Today, people in Tbilisi are once again taking to the streets to protest the allegedly rigged parliamentary elections of October 26. Approaching from different directions, they are reportedly marching toward Heroes Square, a major junction in the city.

Since I am no longer in the Tbilisi, I can only share a photo I made at Heroes Square one night in May, during a similar protest held in solidarity with a smaller group of demonstrators who were harassed by the police at the square.

Look at these people; look at this country.

„There is sufficient evidence to conclude that the Georgian Parliamentary Election of 2024 was systematically rigged and does not represent the will of the Georgian people.“ This is the opening statement of Dr. Hans Gutbrod’s analysis of the election process, published in a policy brief on November 4. It represents one more piece of evidence published on the platform civil.ge that raises concerns over the results of the Georgian parliamentary elections held on November 26.

The question now is, what happens next? In Georgia? And how will the international community respond to this evidence?

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.