Georgia Ruling Party Opens Parliament Defying Opposition Boycott
Protestors gather in front of the Georgian Parliament, amid the first session of the new parliament, in Tbilisi on Nov. 25.
Photographer: Vano Shlamov/AFP/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
Georgia’s ruling party convened parliament for its first session since last month’s election even as opposition lawmakers enforced a boycott and protesters continued street demonstrations over the results.
Georgian Dream is using the session to ratify the makeup of the new parliament and re-elect the speaker, and on Tuesday plans to set a date for new presidential elections. The party later will vote on confirming its nominee for prime minister, Irakli Kobakhidze. Georgian Dream’s founder, billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, attended Monday’s opening session.