**GD Member Elected as New Rector of Batumi University**
Tite Aroshidze, a member of the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party, has been elected as the new rector of Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University (BSU). He received 10 out of 11 votes from the university’s academic council. The election took place despite student protests against his appointment.
**Student Protests**
Students at BSU had been protesting throughout the day against Aroshidze’s election as their new head. They claim that the GD has installed its member to control the university and stifle dissent. The students chanted slogans such as “It’s a shame” and “Fire to the oligarchy”.
**Other Candidate**
Another candidate, Archil Guchmanidze, a doctor of biology and founder of a civil society organization (CSO), also took part in the elections. However, he did not receive any votes.
**Tensions at the University**
The rector election was held amidst tensions inside the university. Supporters of Aroshidze were present, but they did not reveal their identities. Verbal confrontations occurred between student protesters and these individuals during the elections.
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