The files we follow: Armenia-Azerbaijan relations; Georgia between Russian influence and Western aspirations; Georgia/Abkhazia and South Ossetia conflict; South Caucasian energy, trade and transport issues; Human rights in the South Caucasus.
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Post-election crisis and national protests
The 26 October parliamentary elections continue to cause considerable tension in Georgia. Three election monitoring organisations – ISFED, My Vote and GYLA – issued a joint report stating that the results could not be considered free and fair. Transparency International Georgia and the Civil Society Foundation also submitted an amicus curiae to the Constitutional Court, including evidence of irregularities gathered by observers.
On 25 November, Georgian Dream (GD) held its first parliamentary session, despite national and international criticism. Shalva Papuashvili was re-elected speaker of parliament, while Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced a government reshuffle with Maka Botchorishvili as foreign minister, emphasising Georgia’s goal of EU membership by 2030. The opposition, led by Giorgi Gakharia, called the session “completely illegitimate” and urged Western partners not to recognise the parliament.
Many citizens joined the protests against the parliament organised by the opposition, with nightly rallies in front of the building. These demonstrations aim to show the ruling party that the election results are not recognised as legitimate by a significant part of the population.
Repression of protests and social mobilisation
Protests against the election results were violently repressed, most notably during a student rally on 19 November. Mate Devidze, a 21-year-old student, faces seven years in prison for allegedly assaulting police officers.
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