TBILISI, Georgia — Following a third night of unrest in Georgia’s capital, protests erupted in response to the government’s abrupt halt of discussions regarding EU membership. Reports indicate that 44 individuals were hospitalized after police utilized water cannons and tear gas to manage the swelling crowds on Sunday.
Tens of thousands rallied outside the parliament building on Saturday night, where demonstrators hurled stones and ignited fireworks. An effigy representing Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party and a billionaire with ties to Russia, was set aflame in a display of dissent.
According to Georgia’s Interior Ministry, a total of 27 protesters, 16 police officers, and one journalist required hospitalization following the clashes.
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze issued a stern warning, stating that any infringement of the law would be dealt with rigorously. He emphasized that politicians who remained hidden in their offices while inciting violence would not evade punishment.
Kobakhidze refuted claims that Georgia’s European integration process had been halted, asserting that the only matter rejected was what he termed “shameful and offensive blackmail” that had noticeably obstructed the nation’s path towards the EU.
Furthermore, he alluded to unnamed “foreign entities” aiming to provoke a “Ukrainization” of Georgia, echoing the Maidan revolution that radically transformed Ukraine and eventually intensified its conflict with Russia.
The Prime Minister also downplayed the significance of a recent statement from the U.S. State Department, which condemned the suspension of Georgia’s EU accession efforts and declared a pause in its strategic partnership with the country. He implied that the outgoing U.S. administration was attempting to burden its successor with challenges regarding Georgia and Ukraine.
The disputed results of the Oct. 26 parliamentary elections, widely viewed as a referendum on the nation’s EU aspirations, ignited significant protests and prompted an opposition boycott of parliament. Critics allege that the elections were manipulated, reportedly with assistance from Russia, which seeks to maintain influence over Georgia.
In a conversation with media outlets, Georgia’s pro-Western President Salome Zourabichvili accused the nation of drifting into a “quasi-Russian” state, claiming that the Georgian Dream party dominated key institutions.
“We are not calling for a revolution; we demand new elections under conditions safeguarding the true will of the people,” Zourabichvili stated. “Georgia has a history of resisting Russian influence and will not permit the theft of its electoral rights or its future.”
The government’s decision to suspend EU membership negotiations came shortly after the European Parliament released a resolution denouncing last month’s elections as unfree and unfair. The resolution described the elections as indicative of Georgia’s ongoing democratic regression, a situation the ruling party was said to be completely responsible for.
Although the EU had granted Georgia candidate status in December 2023, it put the accession process on hold, responding to concerns regarding a recent “foreign influence” law seen as detrimental to democratic freedoms, cutting financial support for the country earlier this year.
EU lawmakers have urged the necessity for a rerun of the parliamentary vote within the next year, emphasizing adequate international oversight and an independent electoral administration. Moreover, they called on the EU to consider sanctions and limit formal interactions with the Georgian government.
Prime Minister Kobakhidze characterized the remarks from EU politicians as a series of “insults” and accused them of utilizing the European Parliament as a tool to exert pressure on Georgia, labeling this a profound shame for the EU.
Kobakhidze also announced that Georgia would refuse any EU budgetary support until the conclusion of 2028. Critics have denounced Georgian Dream for its growing authoritarianism and perceived alignment with Moscow, as the party has recently enacted laws reminiscent of those used by the Kremlin to suppress free speech and LGBTQ+ rights.
