On December 21, Georgia witnessed an unprecedented series of protests organized by opposition groups and civil society, with a packed schedule of marches across Tbilisi and beyond. Participants from various professional and social groups united to call for new elections, the restoration of democratic principles, and the protection of civil rights.
The day began with a vehicle column departing from Kutaisi Central Square toward Tbilisi, followed by numerous marches throughout the capital, each representing different societal groups. Teachers, students, yoga enthusiasts, tattoo artists, social workers, and regional representatives from across Georgia marched from various starting points, converging on the Parliament building on Rustaveli Avenue for the 24th consecutive day of demonstrations.
Opposition leaders further fueled the protests with a briefing on the ODIHR (Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights) final report on the October 26 elections. Badri Japaridze, of the Strong Georgia party, described the report as “unprecedentedly negative,” stating that the elections were neither free nor fair. The opposition emphasized that voter intimidation, media bias, unequal conditions, and violations of voting secrecy compromised the democratic standards required for legitimate elections.
In a joint statement, four opposition parties noted that the OSCE’s conclusions highlight widespread distrust in the electoral process, which has led to ongoing political crises and mass protests. They pointed to the brutal dispersal of demonstrations as evidence of fundamental rights violations.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili also weighed in, dismissing claims by the ruling Georgian Dream party that the ODIHR report validated the election results. She accused the government of propagating misinformation, calling on international partners to demand new elections to restore public trust and uphold democratic standards.
As the marches continued into the evening, the Parliament building became the central rallying point for citizens demanding accountability, transparency, and a democratic future for Georgia. The day’s events underscored the growing momentum of public dissent and the opposition’s determination to bring about political change.
