'We witnessed a Russian special operation': Georgian president does not recognize elections, calls for a rally
The President of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili, refused to recognize the results of the parliamentary elections in the country, in which the ruling party Georgian Dream is leading, according to her first address after the vote on October 26.
"I do not recognize these elections. It is impossible to recognize these elections, because it is the same as recognizing the entry of Russia here. Zourabichvili was born in Paris to Georgian political immigrantsI did not come to this country for this, our ancestors did not live for this, and we will not tolerate this," Zourabichvili stated.
She stressed that there were many violations during the voting, calling it a "complete fraud" and a "total capture of the votes" of Georgian citizens.
"We have become witnesses and victims of a Russian special operation, one of the new forms of hybrid war committed against our people and our country," said the president.
Zourabichvili called on citizens to protest, Ekho Kavkaza (Radio Liberty project) writes. She announced a rally tomorrow, October 28, at 7:00 p.m. (local time) at Rustaveli Square in Tbilisi.
"We must stand together and declare that we do not recognize these elections, we do not tolerate Russia and its invasion of Georgia in this form. We will stand together," she added.
Elections in Georgia
On October 26, elections to the national parliament were held in Georgia. According to the results of counting 99.3% of the votes, the ruling Georgian Dream party, won, getting a total of 54.23% of the vote.
However, the day before the opposition Georgian political forces announced that they do not recognize the results of the elections in the country. Protest actions were announced.
A video of an unknown man throwing a bundle of ballots into the ballot box at one of the polling stations was shared online. Clashes broke out in other precincts.
However, Prime Minister of Georgia Iraklii Kobakhidze said that the composition of the government will be approved despite the opposition's refusal to recognize the election results.