At least 60,000 Georgians rallied today at the start of a campaign to try to force President Mikheil Saakashvili to resign, an effort led by opponents emboldened by last year's disastrous war with Russia.
Opposition leaders have promised to demonstrate daily outside parliament in Tbilisi until Mr Saakashvili quits, accusing him of monopolising power and stifling reforms promised in the 2003 Rose Revolution that swept him to power.
War in August, when Russia crushed a Georgian assault on the breakaway South Ossetia region and sent tanks to within 40km of Tbilisi, was seized on by critics who say the president has made too many mistakes to stay in power until 2013.
Mr Saakashvili has polarised opinion in the former Soviet republic. But analysts say they doubt the opposition's strength of leadership, unity or support outside the capital are sufficient to force him out.
"We have no other way out but to stand here until the end, until the Judas of Georgian politics resigns," former presidential challenger Levan Gachechiladze told the crowd.
Speakers complained of government pressure on the media and judiciary, and criticised last year's lost war. Protesters raised hands to endorse a statement urging Mr Saakashvili to stand down.
Organisers gave him 24 hours to reply, before announcing further action.
"Today is referendum day in Georgia," said former UN ambassador Irakly Alasania, one of several senior figures to defect from Mr Saakashvili citing serious errors of judgement.
But diplomats say Mr Saakashvili's position remains strong despite the war, the defections and repeated cabinet reshuffles that have fuelled questions over his leadership style.
Many Georgians are tired of political bickering in the capital and are sympathetic to government calls for stability as a global economic crisis deepens.
Reuters