Georgia's ruling party claims victory while thousands fill Tbilisi streets

Thousands gathered near Georgias parliament building in Tbilisi this monday‚ after the pro-russian Georgian Dream party declared election victory with a surprising fifty-four percent of votes

The ruling party (which has held power since early 2010s) got more than 1.1 million votes showing unexpectedly-high support in rural areas; however opposition groups dont accept these numbers. International observers noted several problems during voting process: intimidation ballot-stuffing and vote-buying

You did not lose the elections‚ Your vote was stolen and they tried to steal your future as well

President Salome Zourabichvili believes the election shows signs of russian special-services involvement - a claim that kremlin strongly denied. The situation highlights Georgiaʼs complex position between EU integration and Moscowʼs influence; the country applied for EU membership but its application is currently on-hold

Prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze sees opposition actions as a threat to constitutional order‚ while party founder Bidzina Ivanishvili praised georgians choice. The election commission insists voting was fair despite showing unusual ninety-percent support in some regions

Western allies including US and EU called for thorough investigation of reported violations. US state department spokesperson mentioned possible consequences if georgian government doesnt change its current path; suggesting potential new sanctions

• Main opposition parties announced parliament boycott
• OSCE noted multiple voting irregularities
• Protesters carried anti-russia and EU flags
• Cities showed less support for ruling party than villages

The protests reflect deep divide in georgian society about countrys future direction - between closer ties with russia promoted by Georgian Dream and oppositionʼs push for european integration