Thousands rally in Georgia to demand new election and push for EU integration

Waving Georgian and EU flags, thousands of opposition supporters rallied in Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi, to demand new elections under international supervision amid claims of Russian interference in the October 26 parliamentary vote.

Thousands of opposition supporters rallied Monday in Georgia’s capital in continuing protests against the ruling party's declared victory in the Oct. 26 parliamentary election amid allegations that Russia helped rig the vote.

The protesters waved Georgian and European Union flags and gathered outside the Georgian parliament. They demanded a new parliamentary election under international supervision and an investigation into the alleged election fraud.

Giorgi Vashadze, leader of Unity National Movement Coalition, vowed that the opposition will “fight until the end.”

“Elections were massively rigged, that is why we don’t recognise election results," he said. "Our goal is new elections, our goal is to form a new government, which will drive Georgia to European integration.”

Opposition leaders have vowed to boycott sessions of parliament and hold regular protests until their demands are met.

The Central Election Commission said the governing Georgian Dream party won about 54% of the vote. Its leaders have rejected the opposition claims of vote fraud.

European election observers said the election took place in a “divisive” atmosphere marked by instances of bribery, double voting and physical violence.

(AP)

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