Opposition Sets an Ultimatum to the President

“Either the President should recognize the victory of the opposition in the November 2 parliamentary elections, or he should resign,” leader of the opposition National Movement Mikheil Saakashvili started the protest rally in front of the Tbilisi Municipality on November 4 with these words.

The National Movement, the Burjanadze-Democrats election bloc and the Unity alliance are presently rallying in front of the Tbilisi Municipality, protesting against the ballot fraud by the authorities.

The protest rally was launched in the wake of the meeting of the opposition leaders earlier today. Mikheil Saakashvili of the National Movement, leader of the Burjanadze-Democrats Nino Burjanadze and leader of the Unity opposition alliance Jumber Patiashvili agreed today to cooperate in order to prevent the authorities from manipulating election results.

The Interior Ministry deployed riot police units in the center of Tbilisi. The Central Election Commission (CEC) is currently surrounded by the police. No violent incidents or clashes have occurred.