Protests in Georgia after second round of parliamentary elections lead to President's resignation
When
23 November 2003 (All day)
(OSCE/Cliff Volpe)Protesters gather to hear opposition leaders speak in Freedom Square, Tbilisi, Georgia, 4 November 2003. (OSCE/Cliff Volpe) Photo details
After OSCE election observers alleged numerous voting irregularities in parliamentary elections, thousands of Georgians took to the streets to support the opposition, despite official results confirming President Shevardnadze's party as the winner.
After opposition supporters seized the parliament building, President Shevardnadze declared a state of emergency and resigned on state television shortly after. The outgoing Speaker of Parliament, Nino Burjanadze, became interim President until elections on 4 January 2004, when Mikhail Saakashvili became President.