Rose Revolution

The Revolution of Roses (often translated into English as the Rose Revolution) (Georgian: ვარდების რევოლუცია vardebis revolutsia) was a change of power in Georgia in November 2003, which took place after widespread protests over the disputed parliamentary elections. As a result, President Eduard Shevardnadze was forced to resign on November 23, 2003.

The Rose Revolution marked the end of Eduard Shevardnadze's reign in Georgia, along with the end of a Soviet era of leadership. Consisting of twenty days worth of protests, it ended with new presidential and parliamentary elections and Shevardnadze stepping down from power. Part of a political party Shevardnadze created himself called the Citizens’ Union of Georgia or the CUG, questions of succession began to be asked as early as 2002. The party began to slowly deteriorate as previous CUG members created opposition parties, which were able to successfully take support away from the president. Two of the most well-known opposition parties were New Rights and the United National Movement.