Parliament has backed the presidential decree imposing a state of emergency and media restrictions throughout the country. It means the measures will remain in force until late on November 22.

Not a single opposition lawmaker attended the parliamentary session in protest at the imposition of emergency rule.

“Although the situation has stabilized in Tbilisi and in the rest of Georgia, the threat to stability still exists,” Nino Burjanadze, the parliamentary speaker, said.
 
She justified the government's actions, saying they were necessary “in light of an apparent coup attempt.”