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Protests in Georgia amid municipal elections met with arrests, heavy police intervention

October 11, 2025

Georgia's October 4 municipal elections resulted in the ruling Georgian Dream party claiming victory across all 64 municipalities amid historically low voter turnout, particularly in Tbilisi where only 31% of eligible voters participated. The elections occurred during escalating political tensions following a year of protests against the government's delay of EU integration and a contested parliamentary election. Eight major opposition parties boycotted the elections, citing concerns about electoral law changes that favored incumbents and an ongoing crackdown on dissent, while election day was marked by large demonstrations in Tbilisi that faced heavy police intervention resulting in multiple arrests and injuries.

Who is affected

  • Georgian citizens and voters (especially in Tbilisi where turnout was only 31%)
  • Opposition party members and supporters who boycotted the elections
  • Protesters who were arrested or injured during demonstrations
  • Independent civil society members and organizations facing pressure
  • Journalists and media organizations experiencing restrictions
  • Human rights defenders mentioned in OSCE Director Maria Telalian's statement

What action is being taken

  • Police are intervening against protesters with pepper spray, water cannons, and tear gas
  • The Ministry of Interior is conducting an investigation regarding four criminal charges
  • Authorities are detaining, sentencing, and fining peaceful protesters
  • The EU and international organizations are issuing critical statements about the election conditions
  • The ruling Georgian Dream party is maintaining its position despite protests and international criticism

Why it matters

  • The election results and low turnout reflect growing political polarization in Georgia
  • The combination of opposition boycotts and absence of major observer missions raises questions about the election's credibility
  • Georgia's democratic trajectory and relations with Western partners are at stake
  • The events represent what international observers describe as democratic backsliding in Georgia
  • Electoral law changes and crackdown on dissent have tilted the political playing field toward the incumbent party
  • International organizations view these developments as undermining Georgia's progress toward EU integration

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Global Voices