Students Continue Protest at TSU

A group of students continue a protest launched at the Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (TSU) last week. The protesters still demand Giorgi Gaprindashvili, the only candidate for TSU’s chancellor, to withdraw his candidacy. MP Davit Berdzenishvili met with the protesters and expressed solidarity with them. Students told Berdzenishvili that they distance themselves from politics and any political activity at TSU is inadmissible for them. President Margvelashvili’s advisors, Sopio Shamanidi and Kakha Kozhoridze also met with the students. They noted that “nobody should interfere in the university’s internal affairs and the university has to decide itself whom to nominate as the chancellor.”       

Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili called on TSU Rector, Academician Vladimer Papava “to ensure independent and transparent electoral process.” He also asked Gaprindashvili to withdraw his candidacy in order to avoid any confrontation among young people.  

Giorgi Gaprindashvili released a special statement, according to which he will meet TSU’s academic council on March 14 and take decision whether to withdraw his candidacy or not after that meeting.

Meanwhile, students continue protests at TSU.