Tbilisi unrest: Georgians challenge Georgian Dream policies
In Tbilisi, anti-government protests are unfolding on the day of the presidential elections. Thousands of Georgians oppose the policies of Georgian Dream.
14 December 2024 12:09
In Georgia's capital, Tbilisi, during the presidential elections, extensive protests against the ruling Georgian Dream party are occurring. The demonstrations commenced under the slogan "Wake up, Georgia". Thousands have taken to the streets to voice their opposition to the government's policies.
Amidst the demonstrators, pro-Western President Salome Zurabishvili appeared and was warmly received by the crowd.
In the morning, in the city centre on Rustaveli Avenue, protesters gathered with Georgian flags, singing the national anthem. As part of the "Show Kawelashvili's Diploma" action, it was pointed out that the president elected on Saturday by the electoral college, Mikheil Kawelashvili, does not hold a degree in higher education.
The Georgian authorities secured the area around the parliament by deploying police, water cannons, and buses to transport special forces personnel.
Georgian media reported that various groups will march throughout the day through the streets of the capital to protest against Georgian Dream's policies. Planned events include a street run with Georgian and EU flags, a demonstration by nature activists, the mountain climbing community, and representatives of sports, including the Georgian Football Association.
Political revolution in Georgia
Civic protests in Georgia have been ongoing since 28th November. They are a response to Georgian Dream's decision to suspend negotiations on Georgia's accession to the European Union. In the early days, demonstrations were brutally suppressed by the police. Protesters are demanding the release of detainees and new parliamentary elections due to irregularities in the October voting.
The only candidate in Saturday's presidential elections was the politician and former footballer Kawelashvili, nominated by Georgian Dream. For the first time in Georgia, the head of state was not elected in a general election. These elections are not recognised by the President and opposition forces. Zurabishvili described them as a "mockery of democracy".
According to an IPM survey, 65 percent of Georgians support the anti-government protests, 28 percent have the opposite opinion, and 7 percent of respondents either refuse to answer or have no opinion. The greatest support comes from young people aged up to 34 - as many as 76 percent. The survey was conducted on a sample of 1,600 people from 3rd to 12th December.