Guide Note

On November 7, 2008, Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili declared a 15-day state of emergency and accused Russia of orchestrating a coup attempt following widespread protests.

Fast Facts

1. Over 100 people were injured during the November protests
2. In 2003, the proxy Russian rule was swept aside by the Georgian Rose Revolution
3. In 2006, Moscow severed transport and communication links with Georgia
4. Saakashvili has attempted to cut Georgia's ties with Russia and improve relations with the West

On November 1, protesters led a peaceful demonstration on the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, asking for changes to the electoral system. Violence erupted on November 7, when riot police aggressively shut down protesters and used force to pull the main anti-government television station off the air. On November 8, Mikhail Saakashvili announced that the Georgian election, which was scheduled for late 2008, would be moved up to January 5, 2008.

After Mikhail Saakashvili was declared the winner of the election on January 6, 2008, amid allegations of vote-rigging from the opposition, protests once again erupted in Georgia. Another election was held on May 21, 2008, seen by many as an attempt by Saakashvili to prove his commitment to democracy and increase Georgia's chances of being accepted into NATO. Once again, Saakashvili was declared the winner and opposition parties challenged the results.