Tbilisi Christmas tree lighting ceremony set for day of presidential election deemed illegitimate by opposition

Kakha Kaladze, Mayor of Tbilisi and Secretary-General of Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream party, has announced that the country’s main Christmas tree will be unveiled on 14 December – the same day as the presidential election that the opposition has already declared illegitimate.

Source: European Pravda, citing SOVA, a Georgian media outlet

Details: The Tbilisi authorities decided to install the Christmas tree outside the parliament building on Rustaveli Avenue, which since late November has been the site of protests against the government’s decision to abandon Georgia’s EU aspirations.

Initially, municipal workers were unable to fully assemble the tree due to protesters gathering nearby. Demonstrators later decorated the structure with Georgian, EU, Ukrainian and US flags and photographs of the Georgian media workers who have been injured as the crowds were being dispersed. The workers subsequently removed these decorations to continue putting up the tree, but protesters reinstated them.

Kaladze has now announced that the tree lighting ceremony will take place on Saturday, 14 December. "Of course the children will experience a true celebration and have a joyful time; everything will be done to make that happen," the mayor said.

Quote from the mayor: "Unfortunately there are certain forces, both domestically and abroad, that have been trying to stir up unrest in this country in recent days. However, I want to address our citizens and assure you that peace and development will be ensured and all necessary steps towards our country’s EU integration will be taken. So let’s light the capital's main Christmas tree together and focus on the victories of our homeland." 

Background: Notably, 14 December is also the date of the indirect presidential election in parliament which the opposition has already refused to recognise. Another large-scale protest outside the parliament building is expected this weekend.

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