Georgia’s Political Unrest: Calls for EU Membership Amidst Protests and Resignations

Georgia is facing unrest after the ruling party announced it would stop seeking EU membership and reject EU funding until 2028. This decision has led to protests over three consecutive nights. Several top officials, including ambassadors and the Deputy Foreign Minister, have resigned in protest.

Kobakhidze, a member of the ruling party, suggested foreign influence may be behind the violence. Tinatin Akhvlediani, a researcher, noted that the protests show growing public discontent. Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili criticized the government’s mandate to stay in power and called for EU oversight for new elections.

The European Parliament stated that recent elections in Georgia were “neither free nor fair.” International observers reported issues like intimidation and vote buying. Despite these concerns, the ruling party retained a significant majority, raising questions about their commitment to the EU, which remains popular among the public.