Thousands rally outside Georgian parliament to demand a new election towards European integration

TBILISI, Georgia (AP) — Thousands of opposition supporters rallied Monday in Georgia’s capital in continuing protests against the ruling party's declared victory in the Oct. 26 parliamentary election amid allegations that Russia helped rig the vote.

The protesters waved Georgian and European Union flags and gathered outside the Georgian parliament. They demanded a new parliamentary election under international supervision and an investigation into the alleged election fraud.

Giorgi Vashadze, leader of Unity National Movement Coalition, vowed that the opposition will “fight until the end.”

“Elections were massively rigged, that is why we don’t recognize election results," he said. "Our goal is new elections, our goal is to form a new government, which will drive Georgia to European integration.”

Opposition leaders have vowed to boycott sessions of parliament and hold regular protests until their demands are met.

The Central Election Commission said the governing Georgian Dream party won about 54% of the vote. Its leaders have rejected the opposition claims of vote fraud.

European election observers said the election took place in a “divisive” atmosphere marked by instances of bribery, double voting and physical violence.

The opposition has accused Georgian Dream, which was established by Bidzina Ivanishvili, a shadowy billionaire who made his fortune in Russia, of becoming increasingly authoritarian and tilted toward Moscow. It has recently adopted laws similar to those used by the Kremlin to crack down on freedom of speech and LGBTQ+ rights.

President Salome Zourabichvili, who has rejected the official results, says Georgia has fallen victim to pressure from Moscow against joining the EU. Zourabichvili, who holds a mostly ceremonial position, has urged the United States and EU to support the demonstrations.

Officials in Washington and Brussels have urged a full investigation of the election, while the Kremlin has rejected the accusations of interference.

Many Georgians viewed the parliamentary election as a pivotal referendum on the country’s effort to join the EU. The EU suspended Georgia’s membership application process indefinitely because of its passage in June of a Russian-style “foreign influence law.”

Lawmakers from several EU nations attended Monday’s rally in a show of solidarity with protesters.

“Somebody is trying to take your freedom, somebody is trying to take your democracy, your country, your membership in EU and NATO,” Zygimantas Pavilionis, a Lithuanian parliament member, said at the rally. “Don’t give up. Fight for your freedom, fight for your democracy, fight for your country , fight for your membership in EU and NATO.”

People attend a rally to protest against alleged violations in a recent parliamentary election in Tbilisi, Georgia, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)

A woman holds EU and Georgian flags during a rally to protest against alleged violations in a recent parliamentary election in Tbilisi, Georgia, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)

People attend a rally to protest against alleged violations in a recent parliamentary election in Tbilisi, Georgia, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)

A woman holds a banner saying "We are Europe" during a protest against alleged violations in a recent parliamentary election in Tbilisi, Georgia, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)

Deputy Marshal of the Senate of Poland Michal Kaminski speaks during a rally, protesting against alleged violations in a recent parliamentary election in Tbilisi, Georgia, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)

Front from left, Deputy Marshal of the Senate of Poland Michal Kaminski, member of French National Assembly Frederic Petit and member of Finnish Parliament Jukka Kopra attend a rally against alleged violations in a recent parliamentary election in Tbilisi, Georgia, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)

People attend a rally to protest against alleged violations in a recent parliamentary election in Tbilisi, Georgia, Monday, Nov. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze)

YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul had to wait an extra four months for his high-profile match with 58-year-old former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson.

The delay from the original plan for July was caused by Tyson having a medical episode on a plane and needing time to recover from a stomach ulcer.

The rescheduled bout is set for Friday night at the $1.2 billion retractable-roof home of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas. The state has sanctioned it as a pro fight with some modifications.

Here's a guide for watching the fight:

It's hard to give an exact time for the main event Friday night, but it could approach midnight EST. The telecast starts at 8 p.m. EST.

While this isn't the more common, and more expensive, pay-per-view format followed by most major boxing events, it does require a Netflix subscription. Netflix reported more than 280 million subscribers worldwide at the end of the third quarter in 2024.

Paul is a minus-200 betting favorite, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. That means the payout for a Paul victory would be about half the amount of any bet. The most bet prop is for Tyson to win by KO/TKO or DQ (+275), followed by Tyson to win on points (+1000) and Tyson to win in the first round (+1400).

It's 31 years. Paul is 27.

Tyson retired in 2005 with a record of 50-6, with 44 knockouts, after losing to Kevin McBride. He fought Roy Jones Jr. in an exhibition four years ago. Paul is 10-1 with seven knockouts against mostly undistinguished opponents. His loss was to Tommy Fury, the less-accomplished half-brother of former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.

The fight is scheduled for eight two-minute rounds, as opposed to the normal three minutes and 10 or 12 rounds for most pro fights. Tyson and Paul also will use heavier gloves with the idea of decreasing the power of punches. The gloves will be 14 ounces instead of 10. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation has said Tyson's physical condition met the criteria for the fight to proceed.

FILE - Mike Tyson, left, and Jake Paul, right, pose for photos during a news conference promoting their upcoming boxing bout, Thursday, May 16, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Hodde, File)

Mike Tyson, right, works out ahead of his boxing match against Jake Paul, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Irving, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Mike Tyson works out ahead of his boxing match against Jake Paul, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Irving, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Jake Paul works out ahead of his boxing match against Mike Tyson, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Irving, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Jake Paul works out ahead of his boxing match against Mike Tyson, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Irving, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)