Opposition in Georgia Gives Up Parliament Seats to Protest Election 'Fraud'
Georgian opposition parties have refused to take up their seats in parliament, accusing the ruling Georgian Dream party of rigging October 31 parliamentary elections.
The opposition claims that the elections were marred by widespread fraud and irregularities, including ballot stuffing, voter intimidation, and the manipulation of vote counts.
The opposition has demanded a new election and the resignation of the head of the Central Election Commission, Tamar Zhvania.
The Georgian Dream party has denied the allegations of fraud and claimed that the elections were fair and transparent.
The international community has expressed concern about the allegations of fraud and has called for a thorough investigation.
The United States and the European Union have urged the Georgian authorities to address the opposition's concerns and to ensure that the next elections are free and fair.
The opposition parties have vowed to continue their protests until their demands are met.
The Georgian Dream party has held onto power since 2012, and its leader, Bidzina Ivanishvili, is one of the richest men in the country.
The opposition has accused the ruling party of corruption and authoritarianism, and the protests have been fueled by public anger over the government's handling of the Covid-19 pandemic and the economy.
The country is now facing a political crisis, and it is unclear how the situation will be resolved.
Here is a summary of the key points of the article:
- The opposition in Georgia is refusing to take up its seats in parliament, accusing the ruling Georgian Dream party of rigging the October 31 parliamentary elections.
- The opposition claims that the elections were marred by widespread fraud and irregularities, including ballot stuffing, voter intimidation, and the manipulation of vote counts.
- The Georgian Dream party has denied the allegations of fraud and claimed that the elections were fair and transparent.
- The international community has expressed concern about the allegations of fraud and has called for a thorough investigation.
- The United States and the European Union have urged the Georgian authorities to address the opposition's concerns and to ensure that the next elections are free and fair.
- The opposition parties have vowed to continue their protests until their demands are met.
- The Georgian Dream party has held onto power since 2012, and its leader, Bidzina Ivanishvili, is one of the richest men in the country.
- The opposition has accused the ruling party of corruption and authoritarianism, and the protests have been fueled by public anger over the government's handling of the Covid-19 pandemic and the economy.
- The country is now facing a political crisis, and it is unclear how the situation will be resolved.