Opposition Members, Students Join Rally in front of Parliament

Representatives of the parliamentary and non-parliamentary opposition, as well as students, have joined the protest rally in front of the Parliament. 

The rally has been underway since 4pm. The demonstrators are expressing protest against Parliament's rejection of the bill on constitutional amendments relating to the electoral system.

141 MPs were registered for today's plenary session. 101 MPs, including opposition lawmakers, supported the bill on the transition to the proportional electoral system. Three MPs voted against the bill, though the required quorum was 113 votes, thus the MPs failed to approve the bill in the first reading.

The bill, drafted by 93 lawmakers, envisages holding the parliamentary elections in 2020 through a proportional system with a zero barrier and the admission of electoral alliances.

Organizers of the rally are calling on citizens to join the demonstration. 

By Ana Dumbadze 

Related Story: Parliament Rejects Bill on Electoral Amendments