Protests in Georgia: Thousands demand immediate EU negotiations!

Protests in Georgia: Thousands demand immediate EU negotiations!

in Georgia, a former Soviet state, is boiling the unrest: On Monday evening, thousands gathered by demonstrators in Tbilisa to protest the displacement of the EU accession negotiations announced by the pro-Russian government by 2028. After the parliamentary election of October 26, which the ruling party of Georgian Dream won with a clear majority, the opposition speaks of fraud and boycotted the new parliament. President Salome Surabischwili, a clear supporter of European integration, had previously applied for a cancellation of the election results at the constitutional court, due to massive violations of the right to vote, such as The press reports .

The protests that have been going on since Thursday lead to escalating clashes between demonstrators and the police. More than 220 arrests have already been recorded, and the Ministry of Health recently reported 26 injuries, including police officers. The participants waved flags of Georgia and the EU, while security forces used tear gas and water cannons to dispel the crowd. Prime Minister Irakli Kobachidse refused to negotiate with the opposition and assumed that the protests from abroad were financed. Nevertheless, he assures that his government will be retained, although this is questioned by the announced delay, as The time describes in detail .

The NATO general secretary also expressed concern about the situation and asked Tbilisi to stay on the way to a stronger EU and NATO integration. The tensions in the country do not seem to lose weight; President Surabischwili reported systematic violence against the arrested demonstrators and emphasized the determination of people to defend their constitutional rights. These developments show how fragile the political situation in Georgia is, especially in the context of the geopolitical tensions between East and West.