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.
If ever there was a decisive moment, than tomorrow is it for Georgia. Where are you going?
As we approach Election Day, here are two more pictures I made in front of the Georgian parliament back in May. Look at this country, look at these people.
You can find even more images on my project site Lord of Your Own.
Imagine a place where the iron curtain of the past is gradually coming down again — and you’re uncertain about which side you’ll end up on. This is how many people in Georgia are feeling right now, which is why the upcoming election on October 26th is so decisive.
Here’s a link to a good feature on Deutsche Welle (in German) that explains the situation following a group of students engaged in pre-election campaigning: https://www.dw.com/de/schicksalswahl-in-georgien-wohin-steuert-das-land/video-70540625
Counting down the days until Georgians are called to the polling stations to decide the future direction of their country.
Could only watch yesterdays pro-European demonstration in Tbilisi from afar, but was once again deeply impressed by the great turn-out. In support and counting the days until election day on October 26th, here’s a picture I made earlier this year on May 26th, the Georgian Independence Day.
You can find even more images on my project site Lord of Your Own.
