Thousands of Georgians took to the streets on Saturday, protesting outside the Central Electoral Commission’s (CEC) headquarters in Tbilisi. The demonstrations come after the CEC officially declared the ruling Georgian Dream party the winner of the October 26 parliamentary elections, a result fiercely contested by the opposition and international observers. The opposition, led by Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili, has condemned the elections as fraudulent, alleging widespread irregularities and Russian interference in the process.
The protests, which have persisted since election day, underscore the growing polarization in the Caucasus nation, where many view the election as a critical referendum on Georgia’s aspirations to join the European Union. Hundreds gathered outside the CEC building on Saturday, some carrying Georgian and EU flags, while others chanted slogans denouncing the government and its alleged pro-Russian stance.
President Zurabishvili and a coalition of pro-Western opposition groups have dismissed the official results as illegitimate, calling for international scrutiny. According to the CEC, the ruling Georgian Dream party secured 53.93% of the vote, while an alliance of opposition parties garnered 37.79%. Critics argue the election was marred by voter intimidation, ballot-stuffing, and an opaque vote-counting process.
“The results do not reflect the will of the Georgian people,” Zurabishvili said in a televised statement. “This election was a sham, orchestrated to keep Georgia under Russian influence and away from its European future.”
The opposition accuses Georgian Dream of pursuing policies that undermine the country’s pro-European aspirations. Granted EU candidate status in 2022, Georgia’s progress toward full membership stalled earlier this year following the passage of controversial legislation targeting Western-backed NGOs and curbing LGBTQ+ rights—moves widely perceived as aligning with Moscow’s agenda.
Saturday’s protest marked the latest in a series of demonstrations. As tensions ran high, protesters threw black paint at CEC Chairman Giorgi Kalandarishvili during a heated session inside the commission’s offices. Outside, crowds demanded his resignation and a recount of the votes under international supervision.
“We are here to defend democracy,” said Maka Tsintsadze, a protester and university student. “Georgia’s future lies with Europe, not with Russia. We won’t let this government steal our dreams.”
Despite the public outcry, Georgian Dream leaders dismissed the protests as the work of “foreign agents” and insisted the election was free and fair. Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili accused the opposition of trying to destabilize the country and undermining its sovereignty.
The disputed election has drawn the attention of the European Union and the United States. Both have called for an investigation into the alleged electoral irregularities. EU foreign ministers are set to discuss the situation in Georgia at a meeting on Monday, with potential actions ranging from increased support for Georgian civil society to imposing sanctions on the government.
“The European Union is deeply concerned about the reports of irregularities in Georgia’s parliamentary elections,” said Josep Borrell, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs. “Democracy and the rule of law are non-negotiable for any country seeking EU membership.”
The United States has echoed these concerns. In a statement, the U.S. State Department urged Georgian authorities to ensure transparency and accountability in addressing the allegations.
For many Georgians, the election represents more than a political contest; it is a critical juncture in the country’s decades-long struggle to escape Russia’s sphere of influence and integrate with the West. Since gaining independence in 1991, Georgia has pursued closer ties with Europe and NATO, a trajectory that has often put it at odds with Moscow.
The opposition’s message resonates strongly among younger Georgians, who see EU membership as a path to economic prosperity, stronger democratic institutions, and greater personal freedoms.
“Joining the EU is about securing our future,” said Nika Lomidze, a 25-year-old activist attending the rally. “The government is selling us out to Russia, but we won’t let that happen.”
Adding to the volatility, protests erupted on Friday in Abkhazia, a Moscow-backed breakaway region of Georgia. Demonstrators stormed the regional parliament in the capital, Sukhumi, demanding the resignation of de facto President Aslan Bzhania over an unpopular investment deal with Russia. Opposition leaders accused Bzhania of ceding too much economic control to Moscow.
Despite the unrest, Bzhania refused to step down, stating that negotiations with opposition representatives were ongoing. However, talks reportedly broke down later in the day, fueling further uncertainty in the region.
The situation in Abkhazia highlights the broader geopolitical stakes in Georgia’s internal conflict. Moscow has long sought to maintain influence in the Caucasus, backing separatist movements in Abkhazia and South Ossetia while opposing Georgia’s Western ambitions.
As protests continue to escalate in Tbilisi and beyond, Georgia’s political crisis shows no signs of resolution. The opposition has vowed to keep up the pressure until their demands for new elections and electoral reforms are met. Meanwhile, international attention remains fixed on the country, with Monday’s EU foreign ministers’ meeting likely to play a pivotal role in shaping Georgia’s future.
For now, the streets of Tbilisi remain a battleground for the soul of a nation caught between two worlds: the democratic ideals of the West and the authoritarian grip of Moscow.
