Overview

• The Central Election Commission reported the Georgian Dream won more than 80% in many areas and took all mayoral races, figures the opposition disputes after widespread boycotts.
• Tens of thousands demonstrated in Tbilisi, a group tried to breach the president’s residence, and police used tear gas and a water cannon to push crowds back as authorities reported injuries and arrests.
• Prime Minister Irakli Kobachidse labeled the unrest an attempted overthrow, announced further detentions of alleged organizers and said opposition groups should no longer be active in politics.
• Government allies signaled plans to seek Supreme Court rulings against opposition parties, while police opened criminal cases over calls for violent uprising and detained several protest leaders.
• Human-rights groups described a repressive climate, noting detentions of opposition figures, journalists and activists over the past year, and EU officials criticized limits on observers that they said drastically reduced the possibility of open elections.