International

Violent Tbilisi clashes after elections; opposition disputes vote. Maia Sandu: “Moldova stands with Georgia”

Violent protests erupted in Georgia following the elections, in which citizens voted for mayors and local council members on Saturday. A total of twelve political parties participated in the elections. However, the largest opposition groups, including the party of former President Mikheil Saakashvili, chose to boycott the vote, according to local media reports. As a result, the opposition organized large demonstrations, bringing thousands of people into the streets. In Tbilisi, these protests escalated into violent clashes with law enforcement, who responded with water cannons and tear gas.

The Georgian opposition gathered in front of the parliament building, and protesters carrying flags of the European Union, the United States and Georgia blocked Rustaveli Avenue. Georgians voted under the threat of repression: the pro-EU opposition mobilized people for protests, and the pro-Russian government threatened to use force if people took to the streets.

After the closing of the polling stations, mass protests took place in Tbilisi, as well as in other Georgian cities. The situation degenerated into confrontations and clashes with law enforcement after Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced that the ruling Georgian Dream party had won the elections, with over 70% of the votes in all municipalities.

In the capital, protesters tried to enter the inner courtyard of the presidential residence, and the authorities mobilized an impressive number of police officers and additional forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the area. Special forces are on the scene to protect the residence.

The protesters stormed the iron fence of the presidency and stormed the courtyard of the Orbeliani Palace.

The angry people threw stones at the building and were met with water cannons, tear gas grenades and pepper spray.

Protesters later built barricades and set bonfires in the streets, burning furniture in response to the security forces' attempts to disperse them.

President Maia Sandu expressed her support for the Georgian opposition, stating that Moldova stands with the people of Georgia in their defense of freedom and their European future. She emphasized that democracy cannot be silenced.

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