Georgian President urges protests against alleged vote ‘falsification’. Tens of thousands of Georgians have taken to the streets of Tbilisi following the president’s call to demand the cancellation of Saturday’s election. President Salome Zourabichivili, who has aligned with the opposition, urged Georgians to gather outside parliament, describing the situation as a “critical moment.” She called on the international community to support the Georgian population following a disputed election that she claims was “completely falsified.” The ruling party, Georgian Dream, and the election commission maintain that the election results, which gave the government nearly 54% of the vote, were fair and transparent. Pro-EU demonstrators filled Rustaveli Avenue outside parliament on Monday evening. Zourabichivili emphasized that the protest would be peaceful and expressed her belief that the authorities did not seek confrontation. The purpose of the protest led by her and four opposition groups remains unclear. Zourabichivili stressed the need for legal elections and indicated that the people and political parties would determine the next steps. The European Union, Nato, and the US have called for a thorough investigation into allegations of vote fraud. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the right of Georgians to have electoral irregularities investigated independently. She underlined the importance of Georgians determining their own future. The call for protests recalls previous demonstrations on Rustaveli Avenue earlier this year. Thousands gathered outside the parliament by 21:00, leading to clashes with riot police who used water cannons and tear gas. The government’s response to the protests and allegations of vote fraud has raised concerns, with preparations for further protests evident. Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze defended the election’s integrity, while President Zourabichivili criticized the scale of election fraud. She accused the government of employing a Russian-inspired propaganda strategy. The Kremlin denied involvement in the election and mocked the pro-EU president. Despite the controversy, some foreign leaders, including Hungary’s Viktor Orban, congratulated Georgian Dream on their election victory. Orban’s visit to Georgia drew criticism from European partners, who emphasized that his views did not represent the EU. Germany’s foreign ministry clarified that Hungary’s presidency of the EU did not grant it authority in foreign policy matters.
