Georgia election: President disputes results, accuses Russia of interference

Thousands of protesters in Georgia gathered outside the country’s parliament on Monday, after the country's president and opposition parties called for protests against the results of a disputed election. The country's government and electoral commission have said the vote was free and fair, while election observers have said there were significant violations. "We were not just witnesses, but also victims of what can only be described as a Russian special operation. A new form of hybrid warfare waged against our people and our country,” Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili said. "I must clearly state that I do not recognize these elections. Recognizing them would be tantamount to legitimizing Russia’s takeover of Georgia." The European Union (EU) urged Georgia to "swiftly and transparently" investigate the allegations of “electoral irregularities,” while Russia strongly rejected the accusations. “This is the choice of the Georgian people,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said. The results of Saturday's election are a blow for pro-Western Georgians who had cast the vote as a choice between a ruling party that has deepened ties with Russia and an opposition aiming to fast-track European integration. The ruling Georgian Dream party clinched nearly 54 per cent of the vote, according to the country's election commission. For more info, please go to https://globalnews.ca/news/10833395/georgian-president-wont-recognize-parliament-elections-calls-for-protests/ Subscribe to Global News Channel HERE: http://bit.ly/20fcXDc Like Global News on Facebook HERE: http://bit.ly/255GMJQ Follow Global News on X HERE: http://bit.ly/1Toz8mt Follow Global News on Instagram HERE: https://bit.ly/2QZaZIB #GlobalNews #Georgia #Russia