A nationwide three-hour warning strike is planned for January 15th in Georgia, beginning at 3 PM, to pressure the government into holding new elections and releasing detained protesters. The strike, encompassing employers and employees across the country, aims to highlight the economic consequences of the ongoing political crisis. This action follows October’s disputed parliamentary elections and the subsequent inauguration of Mikheil Kavelashvili, further fueling opposition and international concern. The strike is spurred by the government’s rejection of European integration and a crackdown on protestors, prompting calls for intervention from several Northern European nations.
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Following the October parliamentary elections, which were widely criticized as neither free nor fair, Georgia’s electoral college appointed Mikheil Kavelashvili, a hardline critic of the West, as the next president. Incumbent President Salome Zourabichvili denounced the election as a “mockery of democracy,” rejecting the results and claiming the parliament lacks legitimacy to choose her successor. Zourabichvili, who has clashed repeatedly with the ruling Georgian Dream party, vows to remain president, citing concerns about the party’s pro-Russia stance and increasing authoritarianism. Opposition parties also support Zourabichvili’s claim of continued legitimacy.
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President Salome Zourabichvili, aligning with opposition calls, declared the Georgian parliament illegitimate due to alleged election fraud and demanded new elections. She will remain president to ensure a stable transition, despite the parliament’s plans to replace her. Mass protests, met with police intervention, continue across Georgia, fueled by the government’s decision to halt EU accession talks and concerns about democratic backsliding. International condemnation, including US suspension of its strategic partnership, further intensifies the crisis.
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John Q. Hosedrinker