Protests erupted for a third consecutive night in Tbilisi on Saturday following the Georgian government’s announcement to suspend negotiations for European Union membership, leaving 44 people hospitalized, including 27 protesters, 16 police officers, and one journalist.
Thousands of demonstrators gathered outside the Georgian Parliament, voicing anger over the decision. The protests turned violent, with participants throwing stones, setting off fireworks, and burning an effigy of Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party. Police responded with water cannons and tear gas to disperse the crowd.
Government’s Defense Amid Growing Tensions
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze dismissed allegations that Georgia had abandoned its European integration efforts. “The only thing we have rejected is the shameful and offensive blackmail,” he said during a briefing on Sunday. Kobakhidze blamed opposition politicians for orchestrating the unrest and warned of strict legal repercussions for any law violations.
Kobakhidze also downplayed the U.S. State Department’s announcement of suspending its strategic partnership with Georgia, describing it as an attempt by the outgoing administration to complicate the transition for the incoming U.S. leadership.
EU and U.S. Criticism
The EU issued a joint statement Sunday, with foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and enlargement commissioner Marta Kos condemning Georgia’s decision. They described the move as a departure from the pro-European aspirations of most Georgians, urging authorities to respect democratic freedoms and the right to peaceful assembly.
The protests come in the wake of the EU’s decision to withhold financial support for Georgia earlier this year following the passage of a controversial “foreign influence” law, which critics argued undermines democratic freedoms.
Read: Georgian protesters clash with police for second night after EU talks suspended
The U.S. State Department also criticized the suspension of EU talks, expressing concerns about democratic backsliding in Georgia and supporting protesters’ rights to express dissent peacefully.
Opposition Calls for Elections
Opposition leaders have accused the Georgian Dream party of rigging the October 26 parliamentary elections with alleged support from Russia. They claim the elections undermined Georgia’s aspirations to join the EU, leading to widespread protests and an opposition boycott of parliament.
Georgia’s pro-Western President Salome Zourabichvili, in an interview with The Associated Press, accused the government of steering the country toward becoming a “quasi-Russian” state. “We are asking for new elections, but in conditions that will ensure that the will of the people will not be misrepresented or stolen again,” she said.
European Aspirations at Stake
Georgia was granted EU candidate status in December 2023, contingent on meeting the bloc’s recommendations. However, the country’s accession talks were paused earlier this year amid concerns over democratic backsliding.
Protesters continue to demand a renewed commitment to EU membership and democratic reforms, highlighting the growing divide between the government and a population largely supportive of European integration.
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As tensions persist, the Georgian government faces mounting international and domestic pressure to address the crisis and reassert its commitment to democratic principles.
Source: With inputs from agencies