Opposition and president boycott Georgian parliament opening amid protest
- The newly elected Georgian parliament opened its inaugural session with only ruling party members present.
- Thousands protested outside, claiming the ruling party rigged the elections under Russian influence.
- The situation reflects deep political divides and a struggle for democratic governance in Georgia.
In Tbilisi, Georgia, the newly elected parliament held its first session on October 26, 2023. The session saw a complete absence of opposition lawmakers and President Salome Zourabichvili, who declared the session unconstitutional due to allegations of electoral fraud amid claims of Russian influence. The ruling party, Georgian Dream, maintained control over the parliament, with 88 of the 150 seats occupied solely by its members. Thousands of protesters rallied outside the parliament, voicing accusations of election theft and asserting that the elections undermined Georgia’s aspirations for European Union membership. Given this context, the political climate in Georgia is marked by growing tensions between the government and dissenting voices calling for democratic reforms and recognition of electoral integrity.