Thousands of opposition supporters gathered on Monday Georgiahis capital in continuing protests against the ruling party’s declared victory in parliamentary elections on October 26 amid allegations that Russia helped rig the vote.

Protesters waved Georgian and european union flags and gathered in front of the Georgian parliament. They called for new parliamentary elections under international supervision and an investigation into alleged electoral fraud.

Giorgi Vashadze, leader of the Unity National Movement Coalition, promised that the opposition would “fight to the end”.

“The election was massively rigged, that’s why we don’t recognize the election results,” he said. “Our goal is new elections, our goal is to form a new government, which will lead Georgia towards European integration.”

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

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

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

The opposition has accused Georgian Dream, which was founded by Bidzina Ivanishvili, a shadowy billionaire who made his fortune in Russia, of becoming increasingly authoritarian and pro-Moscow. It recently passed laws similar to those used by the Kremlin to restrict free speech and LGBTQ+ rights.

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

Officials in Washington and Brussels have called for a full investigation into the election, while the Kremlin has rejected allegations of meddling.

Many Georgians saw the parliamentary election as a key referendum on the country’s bid to join the EU. The EU has suspended Georgia’s membership application process indefinitely due to the adoption of a Russian-style “foreign influence law” in June.

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

“Someone is trying to take away your freedom, someone is trying to take away your democracy, your country, your EU membership and natoZygimantas Pavilionis, a member of the Lithuanian parliament, 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 the EU and NATO.”