Protesters storm presidential palace in Georgia (VIDEOS)

The latest wave of unrest follows local elections that were partially boycotted by the country’s opposition

Mass protests erupted in the Georgian capital Tbilisi late on Saturday, in the aftermath of municipal elections held across the country. Protesters have breached the premises of the presidential palace, scuffling with police who used pepper spray and deployed water cannons.

The polls were partially boycotted by the opposition, which had earlier pledged to stage a “peaceful revolution.”

Early projections indicate the ruling Georgian Dream party took a solid lead all across the nation, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has said.

Chaotic footage from the scene shows protesters scaling the fence of the presidential palace and tearing down some of its sections. The unruly crowd is met on the grounds by a sizable police force, clad in full riot gear, who react using batons, pepper spray, and tear gas.

DETAILS TO FOLLOW