Thousands repeat calls for runoff

Tens of thousands of people demonstrated in Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi, pressing for a presidential runoff but celebrating an agreement giving the opposition more control over the main state-funded television station.

The justice minister said that protesters disputing the Jan. 5 vote’s outcome would not be silenced, and that police who dispersed November rallies with clubs and tear gas were not properly trained.

Mikheil Saakashvili’s inauguration for a second term is expected next week. Opposition leaders repeated calls for a runoff between Levan Gachechiladze and Saakashvili, who they say fell short of the 50% needed for an outright win.