Police arrest six opposition activists protesting approval of Zugdidi, Batumi municipal budgets

The Georgian law enforcement have arrested two opposition activists in Zugdidi and four in Adjara region for disobedience as they were protesting the approval of municipal budgets by the city assemblies elected back in 2017 and not this year. 

The opposition said that the ruling Georgian Dream party approved the budgets in the two city assemblies before gathering a newly elected members as the party lost majority in Zugdidi and Batumi city assemblies following the October municipal race.

The United National Movement, European Georgia and the For Georgia opposition party leaders have stated that what the ruling party did ‘is illegitimate and disrespectful to voters.’ 

However, the ruling party says that all steps have been taken in line with the law, and that the approval of the budgets will allow the new city assemblies to immediately start work and meet public demands. 

The Georgian Central Election Commission stated earlier today that newly elected city assemblies must gather for a first session on December 3.