Opposition Holds Protest Rally

Thousands gathered outside Parliament on February 15 at an opposition-organized rally to protest against, what they call, the authorities’ refusal to meet opposition demands.

In attendance were the nine-party opposition coalition – the rally organizer – the New Rights and Labor parties, and the newly set up Christian-Democratic Party, led by former Imedi TV journalist Giorgi Targamadze.

Organizers said about 30,000 people were outside Parliament by 3pm local time.

MP Zviad Dzidziguri of the Conservative Party, part of the coalition, said street protests would continue unless opposition demands were met.

The ruling party unveiled on February 14 a list of proposals, which it said, was an expression of the authorities’ willingness to compromise. The opposition, including those outside the nine-party coalition, however, said the ruling party memorandum was in fact “an empty piece of paper” aimed at dragging out the negotiation process.