Sat Nov 30 08:06:49 UTC 2024: ## Georgia: Protests Erupt After Government Suspends EU Membership Talks

**TBILISI, GEORGIA** – Thousands of protesters clashed with police in Tbilisi for a second consecutive night, demonstrating against the Georgian government’s decision to suspend negotiations for European Union membership for four years. The demonstrations, which began Thursday, followed Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s announcement of the suspension.

Police used water cannons and tear gas on Thursday night, detaining 43 individuals. Friday’s protests saw similar scenes of violence, with protesters attempting to breach the parliament building and engaging in clashes with riot police in both Tbilisi and the Black Sea port of Batumi.

The government’s move follows a controversial October 26th election, widely criticized by international observers as neither free nor fair, and the subsequent European Parliament’s condemnation of the vote. The election, seen as a referendum on EU aspirations, resulted in a disputed victory for the ruling Georgian Dream party, sparking widespread demonstrations and an opposition boycott of parliament. Opposition groups allege the election was rigged with Russian influence.

President Salome Zourabichvili, who has a largely ceremonial role, accused the government of declaring war on its own people and urged police to refrain from using force against protesters. She, along with opposition parties, claims the Georgian Dream party, linked to Russian billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, is increasingly authoritarian and pro-Moscow.

The EU granted Georgia candidate status in December 2023 but suspended its accession process and cut financial support earlier this year after the passage of a controversial “foreign influence” law. The EU Parliament called for a rerun of the parliamentary elections under international supervision and for sanctions against the Georgian government.

Prime Minister Kobakhidze rejected the criticism, accusing EU politicians of blackmail and vowing to continue pursuing EU membership while rejecting EU budgetary grants until the end of 2028. He condemned what he termed a “cascade of insults” from the EU and stated that Georgia would not tolerate such treatment. The situation remains tense, with further protests expected.

Read More