Ex-PM Gakharia’s party rejects legitimacy of new parliament after elections

Giorgi Gakharia, the Chair of the For Georgia opposition party and former Prime Minister, announced on Monday that his party would not recognize the legitimacy of the newly elected parliament following Saturday’s vote.

In his briefing, Gakharia accused Bidzina Ivanishvili, the Honorary Chair and founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party, of “stealing the elections from the people.”

He claimed that his party had gathered “evidence” of election rigging, including voter bribery, pressure on public servants and their families, and coercion of those receiving budgetary social support. Gakharia emphasized that the use of ID cards to falsify votes was particularly significant, alleging the involvement of law enforcement, the Justice Ministry, and the election administration in this scheme.

According to the latest figures, the Georgian Dream secured almost 54 percent of the vote, with four opposition groups and alliances entering the legislative body.

The For Georgia gained 12 seats in the 150-member parliament. In response, opposition groups and the president announced a rally in Tbilisi on Monday to protest the election results, urging the public to join.