• Tens of thousands gathered in Tbilisi for local-elections-day protests, with some pushing toward the presidential palace and riot police firing tear gas.
• The opposition framed the day as a struggle to save democracy, while organizers spoke of a "last chance" to compel change.
• The protests followed a broad crackdown on dissent, with arrests, restrictions on media, and a government pushback against opposition figures.
• International observers were limited or absent, and questions have been raised about Georgia's direction on EU talks and reform commitments.

Tens of thousands gathered in Freedom Square, Tbilisi, as demonstrators waved Georgian and EU flags and moved toward the presidential palace, where riot police fired tear gas after protesters tried to enter the compound. The opposition described the day as a bid to "save democracy," and the rally was framed as a “national assembly” by organizers. The atmosphere and actions were reported across the three outlets, including Lemonde, BBC, and LATimes, with coverage noting the tense clash between demonstrators and security forces. according to lemonde, bbc and latimes.

Georgian Dream, the ruling party since 2012, defended its stance as maintaining stability while opponents accuse the government of pushing back dissent and curbing civil society. The LATimes reports that mass arrests and a crackdown on opposition have occurred, and Lemonde notes persistent accusations of a “deep state” strategy and the jailing of opposition figures and activists. Opera singer Paata Burchuladze participated in the rally to condemn government actions, and some organizers called for the arrest of senior Georgian Dream figures, reflecting a multifaceted political crisis. according to lemonde, bbc and latimes.

The protests have occurred amid ongoing debate over Georgia’s European Union prospects after the ruling party claimed victory in last year’s parliamentary polls, with the government pausing EU talks and opposition leaders and supporters arguing the election and crackdown undermined democratic norms. The BBC notes that organizers urged officials to arrest six senior figures from the Georgian Dream, and LATimes highlights a broader crackdown on rights groups and media. The mood was reinforced by statements from analysts and participants who described the vote as a “mock election,” and by Giorgi Rukhadze’s call for peaceful noncompliance as a route to political change. according to lemonde, bbc and latimes.