Tbilisi- Police in Georgia have clashed with anti government protesters who tried to storm the presidential palace in the capital city, Tbilisi.

Security forces used water cannons and pepper spray to disperse the crowds as tensions escalated.

The country has been in political turmoil since the ruling Georgian Dream party declared victory in last year’s parliamentary election, which the pro-European Union opposition claims was rigged. Following the disputed vote, the government suspended talks on joining the EU.

Saturday’s protest coincided with local elections, which the opposition largely boycotted in response to the government’s crackdown.

Waving Georgian and EU flags, tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in central Tbilisi. Protesters later marched toward the presidential palace and attempted to enter the compound, prompting riot police to respond with pepper spray.

The unrest follows months of government pressure on activists, independent media, and opposition figures, with most pro-Western opposition leaders now imprisoned.