The sixth day of protests

Today, the sixth day of the opposition protests in Georgia experts can only guess when and how the political tension is moderated. There are various moods in the public, whereas one camp would even see a pretext for using these rallies for escalation and destabilization in the country unless the President resigns, the other part of society believes the consultations are to create conditions for peaceful actions to avoid civil confrontation. The radically minded citizens make up a substantial group of protesters at the rallies, one can only hope that the extra-parliamentary opposition spectrum will not become hostage of radicalism.

Meanwhile, President Saakashvili, who visited Akhaltsikhe in Samtskhe-Javakheti region on April 15, called for the unity and said "nobody will be able to harm us if we stand together." Also on April 15, Davit Bakradze, the parliamentary chairman, underlined that the opposition's demand was "ultimatum" which did not help to start a dialogue.

The opposition leaders further widened geographical area of protests and camped outside the public TV on the sixth day of rallies on April 14. The move implies similar tactic employed by the opposition outside the presidential residence, where dozens of tents were set up for "round-the-clock rallies" on April 14. Instead of tents, however, the opposition brought eight mocked-up cells and put them on Kostava Street on Monday evening. Improvised cages are meant to replicate a popular reality TV show hosted by singer Giorgi Gachechiladze, with nickname Ucnobi, who is in a self-imposed ‘imprisonment' in a Maestro TV studio turned into ‘a cell' packed with cameras. Gachechiladze, who launched ‘TV protest' in late January, vows to stay there unless Saakashvili resigns. His show has become one an important elements behind the opposition's drive. Recently Mr. Gachechiladze called on opposition leaders from his TV show to launch ‘campaign of cells' in various parts of Tbilisi.

Traffic is also blocked outside the Parliament on Rustaveli Avenue - the key protest venue - for sixth consecutive day. Traffic was reopened overnight on Wednesday outside the public TV and remained opened as of Wednesday morning. The opposition leaders resumed the rally outside the Parliament at 3pm local time on April 15 - the seventh day of protests. Opposition activists remain camped outside the presidential residence and mocked-up cages also remain outside the public TV's office. From April 21, after the Orthodox Easter holidays, opposition leaders will launch campaign in the provincial regions to mobilize supporters there, as stated by Eka Beselia of Movement for United Georgia party today.