Georgia Protests: Demonstrators Clash Over EU Membership Suspension

Protests in Georgia Against EU Negotiation Suspension

Protesters gathered across Georgia on Saturday night, continuing demonstrations against the government’s decision to halt negotiations for joining the European Union (EU). This marks the third consecutive night of protests since the announcement was made.

On Friday night, more than 100 demonstrators were arrested as clashes erupted with police. Reports noted that police chased and beat protesters in front of the parliament building in Tbilisi. Officers used heavy force and deployed water cannons to disperse crowds on Rustaveli Avenue, Tbilisi’s central boulevard.

The protests were sparked by the ruling Georgian Dream party’s disputed victory in the recent parliamentary election held on October 26, which many viewed as a referendum on Georgia’s EU aspirations. Opposition groups alleged that the vote was rigged with Russian support to keep Georgia under its influence.

Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili criticized the ruling party, stating that Georgia risks becoming a "quasi-Russian" state. She emphasized the loss of independent institutions, including courts and the central bank. In response to claims from Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze about the protests being "violent demonstrations," Zourabichvili clarified that the demonstrators were not calling for a revolution but for new elections to ensure fair representation of the people’s will.

The government’s decision to suspend EU negotiations followed a resolution from the European Parliament condemning the recent election as unfair. European election monitors reported instances of bribery, violence, and manipulation during the voting process.

The EU had granted candidate status to Georgia in December 2023, contingent on meeting specific conditions. However, the recent passage of a controversial "foreign influence" law has stalled its candidacy and cut financial support. EU lawmakers are calling for a rerun of the parliamentary vote within a year and recommend thorough international oversight.

Prime Minister Kobakhidze responded sharply to EU criticisms, labeling them as insults and declaring that Georgia would reject EU grants until 2028. Observers have accused the Georgian Dream party, founded by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, of growing authoritarianism and closer ties to Moscow. Recently, the party has pushed laws that resemble Kremlin policies limiting freedom of speech and LGBTQ+ rights.

The protests reflect widespread discontent with the government’s approach and raise important questions about Georgia’s political future and its relationship with the EU.