**Thousands of Georgians Demand Fair Elections and Protest Against Ruling Party**
On March 31, thousands of protesters gathered on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi to mark the anniversary of Georgia’s independence referendum. The rally was a show of strength against the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party, which has been accused of rigging elections and suppressing opposition.
**President Salome Zurabishvili Speaks Out**
President Salome Zurabishvili addressed the crowd, calling for a “Platform of Resistance” to be formed among pro-European parties to demand new elections and the release of political prisoners. She emphasized that the resistance movement must take on a political format alongside street protests.
**Proposed Platform Details**
The proposed platform would include all pro-European parties and groups willing to set aside their differences to focus on two main demands: scheduling new, fair elections and freeing political prisoners. The platform would work together to ensure new electoral conditions and safeguard votes against potential fraud attempts by the GD government.
**Condemning Ruling Party’s Tactics**
President Zurabishvili condemned the ruling party’s tactics, calling them a sign of failure. She praised protesters for their resilience in the face of repression and violence, saying that “despite all the money and resources concentrated in their hands, they have no results!”
**Three Pillars of GD Rule**
Zurabishvili identified three main pillars supporting the GD government: financial interests of oligarchs, Russian propaganda, and a system of repression and violence. She called for these pillars to be weakened and dismantled.
**International Support**
The president highlighted international support for the protest movement, noting that no democratic country has recognized the legitimacy of the ruling government after Georgia’s contested elections.
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