Thousands rally in Georgia to question the vote and demand a new election

Mon Nov 11 20:55:38 UTC 2024: ## Georgia’s Opposition Rallies Against Election Results, Citing Russian Interference

**Tbilisi, Georgia** – Thousands of opposition supporters gathered in Tbilisi on Monday, November 11, 2024, protesting the outcome of the October 26 parliamentary election. They accuse the ruling Georgian Dream party of rigging the vote with alleged Russian interference and demand a new election under international supervision.

The opposition, led by Giorgi Vashadze, claims the election was “massively rigged” and refuse to recognize the results. They demand a new election and a new government that will drive Georgia towards European integration.

European election observers have described the election as “divisive” and cited instances of bribery, double voting, and physical violence. The opposition accuses Georgian Dream, a party founded by Russian billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, of increasingly authoritarian tendencies and pro-Moscow leanings. They point to recent legislation similar to Russian laws restricting freedom of speech and LGBTQ+ rights.

President Salome Zourabichvili, who holds a largely ceremonial position, has also rejected the official results, saying Georgia is facing pressure from Moscow to derail its EU membership bid. She has called on the United States and the European Union to support the protests.

While Washington and Brussels have urged a full investigation of the election, the Kremlin has denied any interference. The Georgian Dream party maintains that they won the election fair and square, dismissing the opposition’s accusations as baseless.

The election was seen as a pivotal moment for Georgia’s EU aspirations, with the bloc suspending its membership application process in June due to the passage of a controversial “foreign influence law” reminiscent of Russian legislation.

Monday’s rally drew support from several EU lawmakers who voiced their solidarity with the protesters. Lithuanian parliament member Zygimantas Pavilionis declared that “somebody is trying to take your freedom, your democracy, your country, your membership in EU and NATO,” urging protesters to fight for their rights.