Christmas tree lighting in Tbilisi set for presidential election day, which opposition deems illegitimate
Kakha Kaladze, Tbilisi Mayor and Secretary-General of Georgia's ruling Georgian Dream party, has announced that the country's main Christmas tree will be lit on 14 December, coinciding with the presidential election that the opposition has already declared illegitimate.
Kakha Kaladze, Tbilisi Mayor and Secretary-General of Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream party, has announced that the country’s main Christmas tree will be lit on 14 December, coinciding with the presidential election that the opposition has already declared illegitimate.
Source: European Pravda, citing SOVA, Georgian media outlet
Details: The Tbilisi authorities decided to install the Christmas tree near the parliament building on Rustaveli Avenue, a location that has been the site of protests since late November against the government’s decision to abandon its EU integration course.
Initially, workers were unable to fully assemble the tree due to protesters gathering nearby. Demonstrators later decorated the structure with flags of Georgia, the EU, Ukraine and the US, as well as with photos of Georgian media workers injured during dispersals. Municipal workers subsequently removed these decorations to continue the assembly, but protesters reinstated them.
Kaladze has now announced that the tree lighting ceremony will take place on Saturday, 14 December. "Of course, children will experience a true celebration and have a joyful time; all the necessary conditions will be created for this," the mayor said.
Quote from the mayor: "Unfortunately, both domestically and abroad, there are certain forces that, in recent days, have been trying to stir unrest in the country. However, I want to address our citizens and assure them that peace, development and all necessary steps towards the EU integration of our country will be ensured. So, let’s light the capital's main Christmas tree together and focus on the victories of our homeland."
Background: Notably, 14 December will also see the indirect presidential election take place in parliament, which the opposition has already refused to recognise. A large-scale protest near the parliament building is expected to coincide with this event on the weekend.
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