Protests Escalate in Tbilisi as Georgian Government Halts EU Negotiations

For the third consecutive night, Georgians have taken to the streets, protesting against their government's abrupt halt to EU accession negotiations. The ongoing unrest has led to a significant police response, with reports of detentions, injuries, and accusations of election tampering.

 

In Tbilisi, thousands of demonstrators have filled the streets for a third night, expressing anger over the government's controversial decision to pause European Union accession negotiations. As clashes escalate, riot police have been dispatched to maintain order around the parliament, which serves as a focal point for the protests. Recent days have seen the deployment of water cannons and tear gas in attempts to disperse the crowds, reflecting the intensifying unrest that has also spread to cities like Batumi, Kutaisi, and Zugdidi.

President Salome Zourabichvili, a pro-EU leader, has stated her intentions to remain in office until new parliamentary elections are organized. Citing the newly-elected parliament as "illegitimate" due to allegations of electoral fraud, she faces additional pressure as civil servants and Georgian ambassadors to Bulgaria, the Netherlands, and Italy resign in protest of the government's decision.

The ruling party, Georgian Dream, which has been in power since 2012, is under scrutiny for allegedly steering the country away from the EU and leaning towards Russia. The European Parliament's recent resolution condemned the latest elections as part of Georgia's deteriorating democratic crisis, attributing full responsibility to the ruling party. In response, the Prime Minister announced a moratorium on discussions regarding EU membership until the end of 2028.

Frustrations have also emerged against the state-run media, which critics claim serves as a conduit for the ruling party's agenda. Public figures and activists are demanding that the broadcaster operates independently of political influence, particularly from Russia.

Opposition coalitions, having refused to recognize the legitimacy of the newly formed parliament, are demanding fresh elections witnessed by international observers. Their joint statement insists that legitimate representatives of the Georgian public must challenge the current government's authority and the violence it has directed towards peaceful protesters.

The United States has called for restraint, denouncing the excessive force employed by police and emphasizing that the Georgian populace largely favors integration with Europe. Clashes have resulted in around 150 detentions, with reports of police sustaining injuries amidst escalating confrontations. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has accused the protesters of violence, retaliating against the claims of international interference that his government has faced from European officials.