Economic Rules Hub
  • World
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Investing
Home World Georgia election chief doused in paint as protests continue after divisive parliamentary vote
World

Georgia election chief doused in paint as protests continue after divisive parliamentary vote

by admin November 17, 2024
November 17, 2024

The head of Georgia’s Central Electoral Commission was doused with black paint Saturday at a meeting to confirm the results of the country’s divisive Oct. 26 parliamentary elections.

Protesters gathered outside the commission’s building in Tbilisi, where officials announced that the ruling Georgian Dream party had won 53.93% of the vote.

Opposition supporters have rejected the results amid allegations that the vote was rigged, an accusation that Georgian Dream denies.

The Saturday session was interrupted when David Kirtadze, a commission member from the opposition United National Movement party, threw black paint at commission chairman Giorgi Kalandarishvili.

Before the incident, Kirtadze told Kalandarishvili that the official results of the vote did not reflect voters’ “true choice.”

Kalandarishvili responded by saying that the use of “pressure, bullying and personal insults” proved that there was no evidence of vote rigging.

When the meeting resumed, Kalandarishvili was seen with a bandaged eye.

“It once again becomes evident that there is no tangible proof indicating that the elections were manipulated,” he told the audience.

European election observers have described the Georgian parliamentary elections as taking place in a “divisive” atmosphere marked by instances of bribery, double voting and physical violence.

Many Georgians viewed the vote as a pivotal referendum on the country’s effort to join the European Union. The bloc suspended Georgia’s membership application process indefinitely in June after the country’s parliament passed a “foreign influence law” that critics say mimics Moscow’s crackdown on civil society.

Critics have accused the ruling Georgian Dream, established by Bidzina Ivanishvili, a shadowy billionaire who made his fortune in Russia, of becoming increasingly authoritarian and tilted toward Moscow. It has recently adopted laws similar to those used by the Kremlin to crack down on freedom of speech and LGBTQ+ rights.

President Salome Zourabichvili, who has rejected the official results, says Georgia has fallen victim to pressure from Moscow against joining the European Union. Zourabichvili, who holds a mostly ceremonial position, has urged the United States and EU to support the demonstrations.

Officials in Washington and Brussels have urged a full investigation of the election, while the Kremlin has rejected the accusations of interference.

This post appeared first on cnn.com

0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
previous post
Eight killed and 17 injured in mass stabbing in eastern China
next post
Elon Musk’s X Corp. files notice in Alex Jones’ Infowars bankruptcy case

Related Posts

Critics slam Mexico’s gentrification protests as xenophobic. Activists say they’re...

July 11, 2025

Does Putin hit back when Trump criticizes his ‘bullsh*t?’

July 10, 2025

South Korea’s former President Yoon Suk Yeol back in custody...

July 10, 2025

Deadly strikes on Kyiv as Russia continues ferocious bombardment of...

July 10, 2025

Trump praises ‘good English’ of Liberian president, prompting criticism across...

July 10, 2025

A piece of the illegally felled Sycamore Gap tree is...

July 10, 2025

    Get free access to all of the retirement secrets and income strategies from our experts! or Join The Exclusive Subscription Today And Get the Premium Articles Acess for Free


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Recent

    • White House sends mixed signals in Russia ‘hoax’ blame game

      July 25, 2025
    • Ex-Biden chief of staff giving ‘credible’ answers in House Oversight cover-up probe, lawmakers say

      July 25, 2025
    • US pulls team from ceasefire talks in Qatar after Israel does the same, claiming Hamas is acting in bad faith

      July 25, 2025
    • US and Israel urgently need to replenish weapons stockpiles after 12-day war, defense analysts warn

      July 25, 2025
    • Ron Klain dodges reporters after marathon grilling in Biden cover-up probe

      July 25, 2025

    Categories

    • Business (1,462)
    • Investing (3,751)
    • Politics (4,986)
    • World (4,720)
    • Email Whitelisting
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contacts
    • About us

    Disclaimer: EconomicRulesHub.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2024 EconomicRulesHub.com | All Rights Reserved

    Economic Rules Hub
    • World
    • Politics
    • Business
    • Investing