Thousands repeat calls for runoff
Tens of thousands of people demonstrated in Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi, pressing for a presidential runoff but celebrating an agreement giving the opposition more control over the main state-funded television station.
The justice minister said that protesters disputing the Jan. 5 vote’s outcome would not be silenced, and that police who dispersed November rallies with clubs and tear gas were not properly trained.
Mikheil Saakashvili’s inauguration for a second term is expected next week. Opposition leaders repeated calls for a runoff between Levan Gachechiladze and Saakashvili, who they say fell short of the 50% needed for an outright win.
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