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After days of relative calm, filled with debates over whether the Georgian opposition was capable of providing viable alternatives to the Georgian people, tensions have reignited following the disputed first session of parliament after the October 26 election. All it took was a spark to bring the protests back to life.

That spark came from Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, who announced that Georgia would suspend EU accession talks until 2028 and refuse any budgetary support from the EU until then.

The announcement, widely perceived as evidence of the government’s pro-Russian orientation—something it had previously masked with hollow commitments to the European path—triggered immediate outrage. Thousands of people once again took to the streets in protest, not only in the capital, Tbilisi, but also in other cities like Batumi, Kutaisi, and Zugdidi.

In Tbilisi, protesters were joined by President Salome Zourabichvili, who directly confronted the police. However, riot police later cracked down on demonstrators, specifically targeting journalists and media personnel covering the events.

But the flames of discontent spread beyond the streets. Kobakhidze’s remarks also sparked dissent within the government itself. Over 100 serving Georgian diplomats signed an open letter criticizing the suspension of EU accession talks.

A turbulent weekend lies ahead for Georgia. Now, it’s up to the international community to maintain—and even increase—its support in pressing for new and fair elections.

Look at this country. Look at these people.

Is this the end of large-scale protests against the election results in Georgia for now? Following another 24-hour wave of demonstrations starting Sunday and culminating in an overnight sit-in outside the Georgian parliament—attended by a crowd seemingly smaller than the opposition had hoped—an air of despair pervades comments and reports. As Marika Mikiashvili, a member of the opposition party Droa, put it in a tweet: “Georgia is tired, confused, angry, and deeply humiliated.”

Still, she continues to express hope that this moment will spark ongoing resistance against the self-proclaimed government, both at home and abroad.

Protesters gathered in front of the Georgian parliament on Tbilisi’s Rustaveli Avenue in May of this year, demonstrating against the so-called „Russian Law.“

For the last two days and nights, demonstrators have held their ground at the intersection of Varaziskhevi Street and Chavchavadze Avenue/Melikishvili Street in Tbilisi, blocking traffic in protest of the recent elections. According to reports on Bluesky, there were tents and sandbags, but also play, music, and continuous chants saying “Georgia!” “Where are we headed? To Europe!”

As many expected, last night the police attempted to regain control, using force to push back, injure, and detain people, including members of independent media outlets who were doing their jobs.

The protests, however, continue. Follow people like Katie Shoshiashvili, Marika Mikiashvili, Ana Gvarishvili, and Terje Helland for updates and analysis of the situation in Tbilisi.

A woman demonstrating her love for her motherland on May 26, Georgian Independence Day, during a protest against the so-called „Russian Law“ on Chavchavadze Avenue.

Mamuka Khazaradze, one of the leaders of the Strong Georgia coalition, recently shared his thoughts on five steps needed to pave the way for new elections in Georgia:

1. Continue permanent street protests throughout Georgia and in the capital, Tbilisi.
2. Delegitimize the current parliament by resigning parliamentary mandates and revoking proportional lists.
3. Establish a „people’s parliament“ composed of opposition MPs, with President Salome Zourabishvili serving as the chairperson of this body.
4. Develop an action plan for this „people’s parliament.“
5. Send a delegation from this „people’s parliament“ to engage with Western partners to strengthen international support.

(Information sourced from civil.ge)

Additionally, it has been announced that the opposition will reveal further action plans tonight at 7:00 p.m. Tbilisi time.

While Tbilisi courts fast-tracked the dismissal of lawsuits on election violations this week, with election certification approaching, opposition parties once again confirmed their commitment not to take their parliamentary seats. Meanwhile, the majority of Georgians remain steadfast in their conviction that Georgia’s future lies in Europe.

You can follow the news about the latest developments in English through several independent outlets in Georgia, such as OC Media, Jam News, or Civil.ge.

The opposition in Georgia continues its ‚policy of pinpricks‘ in the capital, Tbilisi. Yesterday, protesters marched from Freedom Square to Europe Square, crossing the Baratishvili Bridge and temporarily blocking traffic on both sides of the Mtkvari river.

Protesters are uniting to demand that the October 26 election be recognized as fraudulent and that new elections be held under the supervision of an international committee.“

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