An OSCE delegation attended a protest outside the Georgian parliament

The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen spoke with protesters outside the Georgian Parliament, who blocked traffic on Rustaveli Avenue for the 321st day in a row. 

As reported by the " Caucasian Knot ," on October 13, the 320th day of continuous protests, protesters in Tbilisi honored the memory of Merab Kostava, one of the leaders of the movement for Georgia's independence from the USSR. The opposition also announced a mass protest march for October 26, the anniversary of the parliamentary elections, the results of which the protesters do not recognize.

Participants in the daily protest on Rustaveli Avenue again blocked the road outside the Georgian Parliament building this evening. The protest, demanding new parliamentary elections and the release of all political prisoners, is now in its 321st day, Publika reports. 

The protest on Rustaveli Avenue was attended by members of the OSCE delegation, led by the current Chairperson-in-Office, Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen, who had previously met with Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Bochorishvili. The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office spoke with the protesters, and according to activists, they discussed the content and plans of their protest with Valtonen, Interpressnews reports. 

After speaking with the protesters, Valtonen posted a message of support on social media. "Peaceful demonstrators gathered in front of the parliament building in Tbilisi to express their concern about their country's repressive course. They have every right to democracy, freedom of speech, and fundamental human rights. We are here to support them," she wrote on her X page.

Protesters in Georgia have been demanding new parliamentary elections and the release of political prisoners since November 28, 2024.Security forces violently dispersed the protests, using tear gas and water cannons, and detained protesters. Over a thousand people were subjected to administrative prosecution during the protests. The  "Caucasian Knot" has compiled materials on the parliamentary elections and subsequent protests on the " Elections in Georgia 2024 " page.

On October 4, municipal elections were held in all municipalities of Georgia. Candidates from the ruling Georgian Dream party  were elected mayors  in all 64 cities where elections were held, receiving 100% of the vote in 26 of them. These elections will determine the political balance in Georgia for the coming years. The next major elections in the country are scheduled for 2028, making this vote crucial for both the government and the opposition, according to the Caucasian Knot report " Municipal Elections in Georgia, October 4, 2025. "

The "Caucasian Knot" is publishing materials about the recent municipal elections and protests by opposition supporters on its thematic page, " Georgia: Elections amid Protests ."

Translated automatically via Google translate from https://www.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/416322