The President of Georgia Salome Zurabishvili filed a lawsuit in the Constitutional Court demanding the results of the parliamentary elections to be recognized as falsified. This was announced to reporters by Eka Beselia, who will represent the president in court, reports TASS, quoted by News.bg.
„This claim is for the violation of two constitutional rights. The first is the violation of the principle of universality, which is expressed in the limitation of the constitutional rights of our fellow citizens living abroad. Not only were they denied the right to vote, but they were completely barred from participating,” Beselia stated.
The Constitutional Court has three days to decide whether to accept the claim. If it is upheld, the court will have 30 days to make a final ruling.
In the capital of Georgia, Tbilisi, protests continue against the results of the parliamentary elections held on October 26. Demonstrators, dissatisfied with the officially announced results, blocked central streets and set up a tent camp. Tensions rise, leading to clashes with the police.
On Boulevard "Melikishvili" police used tear gas to clear demonstrators who blocked traffic with barricades. Protesters resisted by throwing stones and several people were detained. After police intervention, the situation temporarily calmed down, but the protesters said they would continue their actions.
On Monday evening, President Zurabishvili addressed the nation and called for new parliamentary elections, saying the results of the October 26 vote cannot be recognized as legitimate.
„When the elections in the country have not taken place, it is mandatory that they be held again as soon as possible,” she said at a briefing. Zurabishvili warned that the current results could lead to "destabilization and dual power".
The president also expressed support for the protesters, encouraging them to continue their actions. “Society must continue its protest and defend its position against the election results. I want to greet everyone who is on the street today and will probably spend the night there. I especially welcome the students – they are the force of progress that leads the country to the future,” she emphasized.
Meanwhile, the European Union announced the suspension of financial support for the Georgian authorities.
„We stopped aid under the European Peace Mechanism. Financing in the amount of 120 million euros has also been suspended. These funds will be redirected to programs to support civil society and directly to the population,” said the head of EU diplomacy, Josep Borrell, at a press conference in Brussels.