Thousands of people in Tbilisi are gathering again to protest the recent parliamentary elections

Thousands of opposition supporters rallied outside Georgia’s parliament on November 4 for the second consecutive Monday, protesting against the October 26 election, which they say was rigged with Russian assistance to favor the ruling Dream party Georgian.

Demonstrators waved Georgian and EU flags, demanding new elections under international supervision and an investigation into alleged voting irregularities.

Key opposition figures such as Badri Japaridze of the Lelo Strong Georgia Coalition have said they will boycott parliament and stage continuous protests until their demands are met.

The protests come amid growing discontent with The Georgian dreamwhich critics accuse of authoritarian tendencies and alignment with Moscow at the expense of EU aspirations.

Amid the protests, which were closely monitored by riot police, opposition leaders called on the West to refuse to recognize the election results.

European election observers reported a divisive election environment, with incidents of bribery, double voting and intimidation.

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said on October 27 that the Georgian parliament the government will approve despite the protests of the opposition.

Tbilisi’s adoption of the controversial the law of foreign agents earlier this year it also sparked mass demonstrations.

Shortly after the election results were announced, the European Commission announced on October 30 that Georgia’s accession process to the European Union had been suspended.

Although Georgia received the EU candidate the condition last December, the accession process was “de facto halted due to actions taken by the Georgian government in spring 2024,” the European Commission said. statement reading.