U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi warns American citizens about the protest rally planned outside the Parliament building in downtown Tbilisi.

‘U.S. government personnel have been advised to avoid large crowds and demonstrations and to prepare for anticipated traffic delays and disruptions in that area.

Actions to Take: Avoid demonstration activity. Exercise caution if in the vicinity of large gatherings or protests. Monitor local media for updates. Keep a low profile,’- the official statement reads.

Members of the ‘It’s a Shame’ and ‘change’ movements are holding a protest rally in front of the Parliament on Rustaveli Avenue, Tbilisi. The members of the ‘United National Movement’ and ‘Europian Georgia’ also attending the rally. As protesters claim, they do not agree with the decision made by the Parliament of Georgia today.

The protesters have brought wooden constructions on the spot. Currently, traffic on Rustaveli Avenue is restricted.

The constitutional changes prepared by the parliamentary majority regarding transformation onto the proportional system of elections were turned down in the parliament.

Based on the results of free balloting, the 101 MPs voted for, 3- against the constitutional draft project presented by the ruling team. The 113 votes were needed for the approval of the draft project. The 141 MPs underwent registration.

The Constitutional changes were put for voting with the first hearing in the Georgian parliament earlier this afternoon.

Based on the initiative of the parliamentary majority, the 2020 parliamentary elections are planned to be held with the proportional (party) system under the conditions of 0%, the so-called ‘natural’ election barrier.

The opposition, on the other hand, proposed holding of the parliamentary elections under the conditions of 3% threshold and possibility to form election blocks by parties.