Opposition Announces Protests in Georgia

Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili, along with the opposition parties, did not recognize the results of the parliamentary elections held on October 26. She declared them "total falsification" and called on the population not to recognize the results of the vote either. In addition, Zurabishvili announced a protest action near the parliament building on Rustaveli Avenue on October 28 at 19:00.

Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili also called on the opposition to "a big protest."

"Of course, no one should enter the parliament! Now is the time for big protests to show the world that we are fighting for freedom and that we are a people who will not tolerate injustice," the arrested former president wrote.

According to the results of ballot processing, the ruling Georgian Dream party received 53.92% of the votes. Four opposition parties received a total of 37.78% of the votes: Coalition of Changes – 11.04%, Unity – National Movement – ​​10.16%, Strong Georgia – 8.81%, Gakharia – for Georgia – 7.77%.

Abroad, the majority voted for the opposition in the Georgian parliamentary elections. The four opposition parties that overcame the barrier and entered parliament received a total of 77.2% of the votes, while the ruling Georgian Dream received 13.32%.

Последние новости
Drone alert declared across southern Russia this evening
News
Drone alert declared across southern Russia this evening
17 October 2026

On the evening of 17 October, a drone alert was declared again in several districts of Krasnodar Krai. The warning covered Anapa, Gelendzhik, Novorossiysk, Abinsky, Krymsky and Temryuksky districts. Earlier in the day, alerts had also been issued in Sochi, Tuapse municipal district and Mostovsky district.

Residents over 55 in Karachay-Cherkessia five times more likely to visit online learning websites
Society
Residents over 55 in Karachay-Cherkessia five times more likely to visit online learning websites
17 October 2026

In the third quarter of 2026, monthly internet traffic to educational websites in Karachay-Cherkessia was 1.3 times higher than in the first quarter. Among users aged over 55, the figure increased fivefold, according to a study by telecommunications operator MegaFon and the Skillbox educational group.

Reporters Without Borders condemns forced detention of Novaya Gazeta editor-in-chief
Human rights
Reporters Without Borders condemns forced detention of Novaya Gazeta editor-in-chief
17 October 2026

Sergei Sokolov was taken to Russia’s Investigative Committee and held in the building for around three hours, despite having been officially summoned for questioning as a witness. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) described the incident as a new stage in the pressure on one of Russia’s last independent media outlets.

Shchukin: Over 3 Billion Rubles Paid to Flood Victims in Dagestan
Society
Shchukin: Over 3 Billion Rubles Paid to Flood Victims in Dagestan
16 October 2026

More than 3 billion rubles have been paid out to residents of Dagestan affected by spring floods. Fyodor Shchukin announced this on October 15 while speaking at a session of the republic’s People’s Assembly. On the same day, deputies elected him as the head of the region, following which he took the oath of office and assumed his duties.