Georgian ruling party reopens parliament despite opposition boycott
Al Jazeera
Opposition parties call the results of the October elections ‘illegitimate’ and refuse to take their seats in the new parliament.
Georgia’s ruling party has opened the first session of parliament after disputed elections and a boycott by the opposition.
Tensions escalated after the governing Georgian Dream party was re-elected in the October 26 elections with almost 54 percent of the vote, according to official results.
Pro-Western opposition parties called the results “illegitimate” and refused to take their seats in the new parliament.
On Monday, Georgian Dream politicians entered parliament and opened the new legislative session with no opposition lawmakers present.
Outside the parliament building, protesters who had pitched tents since Sunday night shouted “Russians” and “slaves” at arriving deputies.
