Protests in Georgia: Citizens are fighting for EU and against government!

Protests in Georgia: Citizens are fighting for EU and against government!

In a dramatic uprising in Georgia, which extends over four nights, tens of thousands of pro-EU demonstrators in the capital protested against the government's decision to suspend the talks about an EU accession. The tensions between the ruling party Georgian Dream and the opposition, which accuses the government of authoritarian and pro-Russian tendencies, have been tightening since the announcement on Thursday, the EU talks for four years.

The Georgian Interior Minister reported on Monday of 21 injured police officers during the violent clashes with the demonstrators. A total of 224 people were arrested during the protests, who are supported by the pro-Western President Salome Zourabichvili. In a passionate call about X, Zourabichvili emphasized: "Another powerful night of the Georgians who are certain to defend their constitution and their European election. The determination on the streets shows no signs of stop!"

protests spread out

The unrest spread beyond the capital, with reports on protests in at least eight cities. In the city of Poti, the most important trading sport of Georgia, demonstrators blocked an access road. In Khashuri, a city with 20,000 inhabitants, eggs were thrown to the Georgian Dream's office. The government under Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze rejected the demands for new elections and described the allegations of manipulated elections as unfounded.

The situation is tightened by the international reaction after Washington has announced that it has a strategic partnership with Tbilisi. Kobakhidze described this as a "temporary event" and assured that Georgia would have talks with the new government of President-Elect Donald Trump in January. President Zourabichvili said she would not withdraw because the new parliament is illegitimate and has no authority to name her successor.