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Protests in Georgia increase despite US criticism of prime minister
Thousands of people demonstrate in Tbilisi against the government's decision to pause EU talks. PM Kobakhidze rejects US criticism. The protest movement is spreading across the country.
Protests in Georgia increase despite US criticism of prime minister
There were protests in the Georgian capital Tbilisi on Sunday evening, which have now taken place for the fourth night in a row. The demonstrations are an expression of discontent over the government's decision to suspend talks on EU accession. Several thousand pro-European demonstrators faced police equipped with tear gas and water cannons.
Background of the protests
Georgia, a country of 3.7 million people, has been facing rising tensions between the ruling Georgian Dream party and the opposition for months. The latter accuses the government of pursuing increasingly authoritarian, anti-Western and pro-Russian policies. The latest crisis escalated after the announcement on Thursday that the government wanted to freeze EU talks for four years.
Protests across the country
On Sunday evening, protesters gathered again on Tbilisi's central Rustaveli Street. According to the Georgian news agency Interpress, roads to the country's main trading port in the Black Sea city of Poti were also blocked. Protests were reported in at least eight cities and towns, and reports from opposition TV channels showed demonstrators in Khashuri, a city of 20,000, throwing eggs at the office of the Georgian Dream party and tearing down the party's flag.
International reactions
The EU and the United States are alarmed by what they see as Georgia's shift away from a pro-Western course and towards Russian influence. The Georgian Dream, on the other hand, defends its measures as a defense of national sovereignty against external influences. Dmitry Medvedev, a former president of Russia, commented that Georgia was "quickly moving along Ukraine's path into a dark abyss" and that such developments usually had catastrophic consequences.
The role of government
Georgia's Prime Minister Iraqi Kobakhidze rejected criticism from the US over the alleged "excessive use of force" against demonstrators. In a press conference, he stated that the police acted at a higher level than security forces in the USA and Europe and successfully protected the state from further violation of the constitutional order. Kobakhidze also noted that Washington's announcement of suspending the strategic partnership with Georgia was a temporary event.
Constitutional crisis and political tensions
Outgoing President Salome Zourabichvili, known as a critic of the government and a supporter of EU membership, announced that she would not resign when her mandate ends at the end of this month. She described the new parliament, elected in October, as illegitimate and without the power to choose her successor. Kobakhidze promised that Zourabichvili would have to leave her official residence on December 29th.
Appeal against foreign influences
A large number of diplomats and officials have signed open letters calling the suspension of EU negotiations illegal. The Georgian Foreign Ministry noted in a statement that foreign states were trying to interfere in the functioning of Georgia's institutions. This is not acceptable.
Georgia on the way to the EU
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Georgia has leaned heavily toward the West and tried to reduce Russia's influence. There have been promises that Georgia could one day become a NATO member, and last year the country was officially recognized as a candidate for EU membership. However, there is growing concern that the Georgian Dream government may abandon this course despite its claims to the contrary. In June, it passed a law forcing emergency and relief organizations to register as “foreign agents” if more than 20% of their funding comes from abroad. In addition, a law restricting LGBT rights was passed in September.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas expressed solidarity with the demonstrators on Sunday, saying: “We stand with the Georgian people and support their desire for a European future.” She condemned the violence against the protesters and regretted the ruling party's signals of not continuing on the path to the EU and improving democratic conditions in the country.