PARLIAMENT OF GEORGIA

The Georgian Parliament is at the heart of the country's political life, the main witness to every event. In front of its gates, the Georgian people regularly come to demonstrate, peacefully or in a more muscular fashion (the authorities know how to respond in kind). In recent decades, some of these demonstrations have degenerated into tragedy. On April 9, 1989, 21 demonstrators on hunger strike were massacred by Soviet troops (a commemorative plaque is located on the right as you go up Rustaveli). Parliament also witnessed the start of the "Rose Revolution" on November 22, 2003. In June and November 2019, it was again the focus of demonstrations against the current government's policies. In 2023 and 2024, there were numerous demonstrations against the law on foreign influence, described as "pro-Russian".

Begun in 1938, its construction was completed in 1958 by German prisoners of war. In 1991, Parliament was at the heart of armed conflicts between supporters and opponents of President Gamsakhurdia, the latter not hesitating to machine-gun the building with the President besieged inside. The building was restored by the next president, Shevardnadze. Parliament was moved to Koutaïssi before returning to its original quarters in Tbilisi.

The Chancellery, seat of the Presidency, is located behind the Tavisouplébis Moédani metro station. The presidential palace rises above Riké Square. It is the Georgian "White House".