2009 Georgian demonstrations

Last updated

2009 Georgian demonstrations
April 10, Day 2, rally at the Parliament.jpg
Day 2 of demonstrations
Date9 April – 24 July 2009
Location
Caused by Election controversy
Political corruption
Poverty
Effects of the 2008 Russo-Georgian war
Human rights violations
Mass incarceration
GoalsResignation of Mikheil Saakashvili
Release of political prisoners
Methods Demonstrations, civil disobedience, road blockades
Resulted inNo policy/leadership change in response to the protests
Parties

Flag of Georgia.svg Government of Georgia

Lead figures

In 2009, a mass rally by a coalition of opposition parties took place in Georgia against the government of President Mikheil Saakashvili. Thousands of people demonstrated, mainly in the capital, Tbilisi, starting on 9 April 2009, demanding Saakashvili's resignation. [1] On the first day of demonstrations, up to 40,000 people gathered in Tbilisi. [2] [3] [4] Protests continued for over three months, although fewer people participated as time passed than during the first days. On 26 May 2009, the Georgian Independence Day, 60,000 protesters took part. [5] Although peaceful at first, there were incidents of fighting between the Georgian police and protesters. [6] [7] The daily rallies gradually dwindled and ended, without achieving any tangible results, on 24 July 107 days after they kicked off. [8]

Opposition plans

On 27 March 2009, 13 opposition parties agreed to hold a joint rally to demand Saakashvili's resignation in an announcement named Manifesto of Unity. It was signed by Alliance for Freedom (uniting Party of Freedom; Party of Women for Justice and Equality; Traditionalists and Party of Future); Conservative Party (leaders – Kakha Kukava and Zviad Dzidziguri); Democratic Movement–United Georgia (led by Nino Burjanadze); Georgia's Way (led by Salome Zourabichvili); Industrialists Party (led by Zurab Tkemaladze and beer magnate Gogi Topadze); Movement for United Georgia (founded by ex-defense minister Irakli Okruashvili); Party of People (led by Koba Davitashvili); and the Alliance for Georgia, uniting New Rights, Republican Party and a political team of Irakli Alasania, who had earlier showed reservations about joining the manifestations. Levan Gachechiladze, a former opposition presidential candidate, has joined the document as an individual politician. [9]

Salome Zourabichvili stressed on 8 April, that the demonstrators will remain on the streets until the president steps down. [3]

The date of 9 April 2009, was chosen because it will be the 20-year anniversary of the day when 20 people died as Soviet Red Army troops dispersed a pro-independence rally in Tbilisi. [1]

Opposition parties have accused Saakashvili of concentrating power to himself, using riot police to crush opposition rallies in 2007 and for the disaster of the 2008 South Ossetia war. "I don't think that it should be a surprise that after we lost 20% of Georgian territory and have no democracy in the country, we are asking for the resignation of the president," opposition leader Nino Burjanadze said. [1] [4]

Preparations

On 8 April, the Tbilisi-based pro-opposition Maestro TV aired a brief video, informing the public that the opposition and their supporters will start gathering at three various venues in the capital city – in Avlabari Square, Tbilisi State University and at the public broadcaster's office subsequently to join outside the Parliament in Rustaveli Avenue. [10]

Foreign diplomats have called for a dialogue between the government and opposition, [11] and the Georgian Orthodox Church has urged the opposition, the government and the Georgian army not to resort to force. [12]

On 8 April 2009, Georgian police set up a Monitoring Center to oversee the rallies and invited foreign diplomats to keep a close eye on police and protesters' actions. The office of Georgian public defender Sozar Subari and a group of local non-governmental organizations will also monitor the events. Irakli Alasania, leader of the Alliance for Georgia, said that the opposition was willing to cooperate with the law enforcement agencies to provide security during the rallies. [13]

President Saakashvili has stated there was "no alternative to dialogue" and the government was ready to talk even "with the smallest and the most radical group". [14] The Georgian Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili said that the authorities would show "maximum tolerance" towards the protesters and police would retaliate in case of the opposition attempts at storming the government buildings. [15] Fire crews and hundreds of police in full riot gear were positioned on the courtyard of the parliament in central Tbilisi in early 9 April. [16]

First day of demonstrations

Protesters hold up their hands to show that they don't have weapons April 9, Day 1.jpg
Protesters hold up their hands to show that they don't have weapons

On the morning of 9 April, the Democratic Movement–United Georgia party claimed that 60 of its members had been arrested in overnight raids. [1] Up to 40,000 people gathered in Tbilisi on 9 April. The protesters gave Saakashvili time until 11:00 GMT on Friday, 10 April to stand day and agree to the demands. [2] A few hundred protesters stayed the night outside the parliament. Opposition leaders asked people to meet again at afternoon next day. Eka Beselia said he did not expect Saakashvili to adhere to the deadline, and that concrete action was planned for Friday. [17]

Second day of demonstrations

On 10 April, about 20,000[ citation needed ] people took part in the rally in Tbilisi. The opposition announced the start of a national disobedience campaign. Major roads in Tbilisi were blocked off for six hours, causing the traffic in the city to paralyze. The opposition said that the same action will be repeated every day. [18]

Continued protests

Puppet with face of Mikheil Saakashvili Puppet Saakashvili.jpg
Puppet with face of Mikheil Saakashvili

The Georgian opposition said on 12 April 2009 that they would continue their peaceful protest demanding the resignation of President Mikheil Saakashvili, despite its previous decision to hold a break for a religious holiday.[ citation needed ]

On 13 April 2009 the protesters set up camp outside President Saakashvili's office. [19] and the opposition leaders stated they were ready to hold talks with the president but that an election was the only way out of the deadlock. [19]

Opposition leaders have pledged to keep the protests peaceful [19] but on 6 May 2009 protesters and police clashed near a police base. The Interior Ministry said 22 protesters and six policemen were injured. The opposition said several of its leaders were also treated in hospital. Protesters appeared to have converged on the police base to demand the release of three opposition activists detained over the beating of a journalist on 5 May 2009. [20]

On 26 May 2009, the Georgian independence day, 60,000 protesters gathered to demand Saakashvili's resignation. [5] The opposition has also forced the government to cancel the annual military parade. [5] Opposition leaders still insisted that protests will continue until Saakashvili resigns. Saakashvili, on his part, reiterated his refusal once again. [5]

On 28 May 2009, several protesters and five policemen were injured in a clash close to the protest venue outside the Parliament. [6] According to the Georgian government, least one police officer was stabbed and others were beaten. However, the opposition denied the report, saying some 20 plainclothes police attacked its supporters with batons. [21] Television pictures aired by Maestro TV showed dozens of men in civilian clothing clashing with each other on a small street near the Parliament. [6] Opposition leader Kakha Kukava said the clash was "a provocation by a group of policemen who started beating people." Television pictures showed several wounded protesters, one with blood streaming from his head. [22]

Mid June 2009 Georgian police clashed violently with opposition protesters in Tbilisi. [7]

International response

At a meeting of the 28 NATO states and their Georgian counterpart in Brussels on 5 May 2009 NATO called for dialogue between Georgia's government and opposition, for reforms to ensure freedom of media and assembly, and for the government to avoid violence against protests. [20]

Effects on the Georgian economy

On 7 April 2009, Fitch Ratings had warned that Georgia's long-term credit could be downgraded because of the political instability ahead of the planned protests. [4] 9 April 2009 the Prime Minister of Georgia Nika Gilauri warned that political standoff and protest rallies in the country would hit the Georgian economy. [23]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mikheil Saakashvili</span> Georgian-Ukrainian politician, former President of Georgia, former Governor of Odesa

Mikheil Saakashvili is a Georgian and Ukrainian politician and jurist. He was the third president of Georgia for two consecutive terms from 25 January 2004 to 17 November 2013. From May 2015 until November 2016, Saakashvili was the governor of Ukraine's Odesa Oblast. He is the founder and former chairman of the United National Movement party. Saakashvili heads the executive committee of Ukraine's National Reform Council since 7 May 2020. In 2021 he began serving a six-year prison sentence in Georgia on charges of abuse of power and organization of an assault occasioning grievous bodily harm against an opposition lawmaker Valery Gelashvili.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nino Burjanadze</span> Georgian politician and lawyer

Nino Burjanadze is a Georgian politician and lawyer who served as Chairperson of the Parliament of Georgia from November 2001 to June 2008. As the first woman, she has served as the acting head of state of Georgia twice; the first time from 23 November 2003 to 25 January 2004 in the wake of Eduard Shevardnadze's resignation during the Rose Revolution, and again from 25 November 2007 to 20 January 2008, when Mikheil Saakashvili stepped down to rerun in the early presidential elections. She withdrew into opposition to Saakashvili as the leader of the Democratic Movement-United Georgia party in 2008. In October 2013, she ran in the presidential election, competing against 22 candidates. She ended third with 10 percent of the vote.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Irakli Okruashvili</span> Georgian politician

Irakli Okruashvili is a Georgian politician who had served on various important posts in the Government of Georgia under President Mikheil Saakashvili, including being the Minister of Defense from December 2004 until being dismissed in November 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Irakli Alasania</span> Georgian politician and diplomat

Irakli Alasania is a Georgian politician, soldier and former diplomat who served as the Minister of Defense of Georgia from 2012 to 2014. He was Georgia's Ambassador to the United Nations from September 11, 2006, until December 4, 2008. His previous assignments include Chairman of the Government of Abkhazia(-in-exile) and the President of Georgia's aide in the Georgian-Abkhaz talks. Soon after his resignation, Alasania withdrew into opposition to the Mikheil Saakashvili administration, setting up the Our Georgia – Free Democrats party in July 2009. In 2012 Alasania was appointed Minister of Defense, a position he held until 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2004 Adjara crisis</span> 2004 political crisis in Adjara, Georgia

The Adjara crisis, also known as the Adjarian revolution or the Second Rose Revolution, was a political crisis in Georgia's Adjaran Autonomous Republic, then led by Aslan Abashidze, who refused to obey the central authorities after President Eduard Shevardnadze's ouster during the Rose Revolution of November 2003. The crisis threatened to develop into military confrontation as both sides mobilized their forces at the internal border. However, Georgia's post-revolutionary government of President Mikheil Saakashvili managed to avoid bloodshed and with the help of Adjaran opposition reasserted its supremacy. Abashidze left the region in exile in May 2004 and was succeeded by Levan Varshalomidze.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2007 Georgian demonstrations</span> 2007 protests in Georgia against the government of Mikheil Saakashvili

In 2007, a series of anti-government protests took place across Georgia. The demonstrations peaked on 2 November 2007, when 40,000–50,000 rallied in downtown Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. People protested against the allegedly corrupt government of president Mikheil Saakashvili. Protests triggered by detention of Georgian politician Irakli Okruashvili on charges of extortion, money laundering, and abuse of office during his tenure as defense minister of the country were organized by the National Council, an ad hoc coalition of ten opposition parties, and financed by the media tycoon Badri Patarkatsishvili. Demonstrations occurred both in September and November 2007 and were initially largely peaceful. The protests went downhill by 6 November 2007, but turned violent the next day when the police, using heavy-handed tactics, including tear gas and water cannon, unblocked Rustaveli Avenue, Tbilisi's main boulevard, dislodged the protesters from the territory adjoining to the House of Parliament, and prevented the demonstrators from resuming the protests. The government accused the Russian secret services of being involved in an attempted coup d'état and declared a nationwide state of emergency later that day which lasted until 16 November 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 Georgian presidential election</span>

Presidential elections were held in Georgia on 5 January 2008, moved forward from autumn 2008 by President Mikheil Saakashvili after the 2007 demonstrations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Levan Mikeladze</span> Georgian diplomat and politician

Levan Mikeladze was a Georgian diplomat and politician. He was Georgia's Ambassador to Austria, to United States and to Switzerland. Soon after his resignation, Mikeladze announced his withdrawal into opposition to the Mikheil Saakashvili administration and joined the Alliance for Georgia, party led by Irakli Alasania. On April 26, 2009 he died of a heart attack.

The 2011 Georgian protests were a series of anti-government protests in Georgia against President Mikheil Saakashvili.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 Georgian parliamentary election</span>

Parliamentary elections were held in Georgia on 1 October 2012. The opposition Georgian Dream coalition of billionaire businessman Bidzina Ivanishvili won a majority of the seats. President Mikheil Saakashvili conceded his party's defeat.

Events in the year 2012 in Georgia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Irakli Garibashvili</span> Prime Minister of Georgia (2013–2015, 2021–2024)

Irakli Garibashvili is a Georgian politician and a former business executive who served as the prime minister of Georgia between 22 February 2021 and 29 January 2024. He had previously served as prime minister from 20 November 2013 until his resignation on 30 December 2015. Garibashvili is a member of the Georgian Dream party and has served as the party's chairman since 1 February 2024. He entered politics with his long-time associate Bidzina Ivanishvili, in October 2012.

In 2013, Georgia finalized its first-ever peaceful change of power and transition to a parliamentary republic. The Georgian Dream-dominated government, which came to power after defeating, in October 2012, the United National Movement led by the outgoing President Mikheil Saakashvili, promised more democratic reforms. The Georgian Dream candidate Giorgi Margvelashvili won the presidential election in October 2013 and the new constitution significantly reducing the authority of the president in favor of those of the prime minister and government came into effect. In November, the leader of the Georgian Dream, Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili announced his withdrawal from politics as promised earlier, and the Parliament of Georgia approved his nominee, Irakli Garibashvili, as the country's new head of government.

The following lists events that happened during 2015 in Georgia.

The events in 2010 in Georgia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 protests in Georgia (country)</span> 2019 protests in Georgia

The 2019 protests in Georgia, also known as Gavrilov's Night, refers to a series of anti-government and snap election-demanding protests in the country of Georgia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020–2021 Georgian political crisis</span> Election controversy and aftermath

The 2020–2021 Georgian political crisis was a political crisis in Georgia that resulted from allegations by opposition parties that the 2020 Georgian parliamentary election was rigged. The opposition accused the ruling Georgian Dream party of election fraud and did not recognize the results. They announced protests and parliamentary boycott. The opposition held a rally on November 1, a day after the elections, and called for snap parliamentary elections. On November 2, the eight opposition parties refused to enter parliament. In February 2021, Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia resigned over plans to arrest opposition leader Nika Melia, which occurred on 23 February.

Levan Khabeishvili is a Georgian activist and politician who has served as a Member of Parliament since 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Second Garibashvili government</span> Incumbent government of Georgia

The second government of Irakli Garibashvili was the government of Georgia, led by Irakli Garibashvili as the Prime Minister from February 22, 2021 until January 29, 2024. Following the resignation of Giorgi Gakharia, the ruling Georgian Dream party nominated former Prime Minister and then-Minister of Defence Irakli Garibashvili to form a government. His cabinet was quickly confirmed by the Parliament four days later. The government was dissolved after Prime Minister Garibashvili's resignation on January 29, 2024. Garibashvili cited the rotation process as the main reason for his resignation, implying that other people in the ruling party should also be given a chance to lead. Garibashvili took up the offer to become the Chairman of the Georgian Dream party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023–2024 Georgian protests</span> Protests in Georgia

The 2023–2024 Georgian protests are a series of street demonstrations taking place throughout Georgia over parliamentary backing of a proposed "Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence", which requires NGOs to register as "agents of foreign influence" or "organizations carrying the interests of a foreign power" if the funds they receive from abroad amount to more than 20% of their total revenue.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Georgia set for political rallies". BBC News. 9 April 2009. Archived from the original on 11 April 2009. Retrieved 9 April 2009.
  2. 1 2 "Georgians protest into the night". BBC News. 9 April 2009. Archived from the original on 10 April 2009. Retrieved 10 April 2009.
  3. 1 2 "Georgian Opposition Vows To Protest 'As Long As Needed' Until President Resigns". Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty. 8 April 2009. Archived from the original on 13 April 2009. Retrieved 9 April 2009.
  4. 1 2 3 Shields, Samantha (9 April 2009). "Georgians Plan Big Protest of President". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 11 April 2009. Retrieved 9 April 2009.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Thousands attend Georgia protest". BBC News. 26 May 2009. Archived from the original on 28 May 2009. Retrieved 26 May 2009.
  6. 1 2 3 "Policemen, Protesters Injured in Clash". Civil Georgia. 28 May 2009. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
  7. 1 2 Police beat protesters in Georgian capital Archived 16 November 2020 at the Wayback Machine , Reuters (15 June 2009)
  8. End of Street Protests for Now Archived 26 May 2017 at the Wayback Machine . Civil Georgia. 27 July 2009
  9. 13 Parties Agree to Jointly Organize Protest Rallies Archived 5 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine . Civil Georgia. 27 March 2009
  10. TV Advert Briefs on Rallies Schedule Archived 7 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine . Civil Georgia. 8 April 2009
  11. Diplomats Call for a Dialogue Archived 7 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine . Civil Georgia. 8 April 2009
  12. Head of Georgian Church Calls for Restraint Archived 7 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine . Civil Georgia. 8 April 2009
  13. Police Set Up Rallies’ Monitoring Center Archived 7 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine . Civil Georgia. 8 April 2009
  14. Saakashvili: No Alternative to Dialogue Archived 7 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine . Civil Georgia. 7 April 2009
  15. Merabishvili Says No Chance of Revolution Archived 15 July 2017 at the Wayback Machine . Civil Georgia. 9 April 2009
  16. "Georgia braces for mass rallies against Saakashvili". Reuters. 9 April 2009. Archived from the original on 25 June 2009. Retrieved 9 April 2009.
  17. Protesters Keep Vigil Civil.ge 2008-04-10. Accessed 2009-04-12. Archived 2009-06-22.
  18. "Daily protests planned in Georgia". BBC News. 10 April 2009. Archived from the original on 13 April 2009. Retrieved 11 April 2009.
  19. 1 2 3 Georgia protesters step up drive to oust president Archived 22 November 2020 at the Wayback Machine , Reuters (13 April 2009)
  20. 1 2 Georgian opposition clash with police in Tbilisi Archived 22 November 2020 at the Wayback Machine , Reuters (6 May 2009)
  21. "Violence mars Georgian protests". BBC News. 29 May 2009. Archived from the original on 1 June 2009. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
  22. "Georgia says policemen stabbed in protest clash". Reuters. 28 May 2009. Archived from the original on 1 June 2009. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
  23. PM: Political Standoff Harms Economy Archived 7 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine . Civil Georgia. 8 April 2009