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STORY: Thousands gathered outside Georgia's parliament on Monday after the country's president and opposition parties called for protests against the result of an election they say was rigged.

Georgia's government and electoral commission say Saturday's vote was free and fair...

:: October 26, 2024

and that the ruling Georgian Dream party won with nearly 54% of the vote.

Opposition parties dispute that and election observers have said there were significant violations.

The results are a blow for pro-Western Georgians.

The vote was seen as a choice between a ruling party that has deepened ties with Russia and an opposition aiming to fast-track integration with Europe.

Zaza Mikeladze was among the protesters in Tbilisi.

"We are here to protect our right, our European perspectives, equality and democracy."

President Salome Zourabichvili – who disputes the results alongside opposition parties – says the ruling party's vote share fell far short of the official tallies.

She accused the ruling party of using Russian-style tactics and propaganda.

"So, of course you can not prove anything, but the clear links that's the ruling party has with Moscow also demonstrated today by the very many messages of support that we've seen is what we've seen at work in this country.”

Russia has denied any interference in the vote, saying it was the West that was trying to destabilize the situation.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban paid a surprise visit on Monday after having congratulated the ruling party on its victory.

Orban, who holds the European Council's rotating presidency, said in a post on X, (quote) “Georgia is a conservative, Christian and pro-Europe state.”

The European Union, the United States and NATO have called for a full investigation of alleged election irregularities.

Georgian Dream says it still fully supports the country's bid to join the EU.