Updated at 1900 GMT / 23.00 Tbilisi
Groups of opposition protestors continue to roam the streets of Tbilisi after an opposition rally held in front of the Georgian parliament ended. Crowds of around 10,000 people attended the manifestation which was addressed by the main opposition leaders. Smaller groups split off from the main meeting to hold protests at other venuyes, and the opposition has declared a blockade of the parliament, bringing in sandbags to block entrances. Some small incidents with the police have been reported.
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Updated at 1530 GMT / 19.30 Tbilisi
At the end of a rally in front of the parliament building which was addressed by Georgian opposition leaders it was announced that protesters will start a 24 hour picket to stop government MPs from entering the building.
So far no incidents have been reported but there is a heavy police presence inside the parliament building itself.
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Update at 12.30 GMT/ 1630 Tbilisi
Thousands of people have gathered in Tbilisi to protest at the failure of parliament to pass constitutional changes aimed at changing the electoral system ahead of next year's parliamentary elections. Whilst there are several gatherings, the largest one is in front of the building of the parliament of Georgia where the main opposition parties have also been joined by representatives of various civil society groups. The protestors in this rally have three demands: the resignation of the government and the appointment of a technical government; the holding of elections under the proposed full proportional representation system; and the replacement of the Central Elections Commission.
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This story will be updated throughout the day
Thousands of people are expected to rally in Tbilisi on Sunday in protest at parliament's failure to enact a constitutional amendment that changes the country's electoral system to a fully proportional one in time for next year's parliamentary elections. The amendment had been originally proposed by the government, but had subsequently got cross-party support, and was also welcomed by the international community. On Friday, amid reports of serious cracks within the ruling Georgian Dream party, dozens of government MPs voted against or abstained, and the amendment did not secure the constitutional majority required.
read more: Georgian politics in a mess after parliament fails to enact a constitutional amendment
Two rallies are planned for Sunday afternoon (17 November). The main opposition parties, led by the United National Movement and European Georgia, and also with the support of a number of NGOs, will rally in front of the parliament building on Rustaveli Avenue. Historically this is the place where in defining moments in modern Georgian history, people gather, usually to protest.
In a sign however that the opposition is not completely united, another opposition party that is represented in parliament, Patriots Union, will not join the main protest but will organise its own seperate protest in front of the Radisson Hotel. It has now been announced that a number of right wing groups will also join this second protest.
source: commonspace.eu with agencies
photo: Protestors in Tbilisi listen to opposition leaders at a rally in front of the parliament building (picture courtesy of Interpress news, Tbilisi)
