Georgia's Political Turmoil: EU Membership at Stake Amidst Protests and Power Struggles
The political crisis in Georgia is escalating, centering around the contentious issue of the country's ambitions to join the European Union. President Salome Zurabishvili, who is aligned with EU interests, deemed the current government led by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze as illegitimate and asserted her intent to remain in office despite her term officially ending in December.
This tension came to a head on Thursday when the ruling Georgian Dream party, spearheaded by Kobakhidze, announced plans to suspend EU accession talks for the next four years, alleging that Georgia is facing blackmail from the EU. This decision has ignited widespread protests throughout the nation, reflecting the significant public support for EU membership among the country's 3.7 million citizens. Georgia's commitment to join the EU is enshrined in its constitution, elevating the stakes of the current political situation.
In a defiant speech, Zurabishvili argued that the parliament lacks the legitimacy to select a successor after her term ends, asserting, "an illegitimate parliament cannot choose a new president." She labeled the recent parliamentary elections—where Georgian Dream purportedly secured nearly 54% of the vote—as fraudulent. With tensions increasing, she firmly declared that she will continue to execute her presidential duties until a legitimately elected parliament is established.
Kobakhidze responded to the opposition's outcry and allegations regarding the EU accession freeze, warning against a possible revolution akin to Ukraine's Maidan protests in 2014, which saw the ousting of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych. He stated, "Georgia will naturally not allow such a scenario," illustrating the ruling party's commitment to maintaining control amidst rising dissent.
Protests erupted with fervor, leading to clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement in the capital, Tbilisi. Over 100 people were reportedly arrested as pro-EU supporters erected barricades and confronted riot police, who responded with water cannons and tear gas to disperse the crowd. On Saturday, thousands more rallied in Tbilisi, demanding a restoration of EU integration talks.
The situation reflects a broader deterioration of relations between the Georgian Dream party and Western entities, particularly as the party, led by billionaire ex-prime minister Bidzina Ivanishvili, has been accused of adopting increasingly authoritarian and pro-Russian positions ahead of the contentious elections in October. Despite claims from the ruling party and the Georgian electoral commission that the elections were conducted freely and fairly, distrust among the populace continues to grow.
As tensions mount and the political landscape shifts, Georgia stands at a critical juncture. The nation must navigate the delicate balance between its aspirations for EU membership and the realities of domestic power dynamics, all while the specter of political unrest looms large.
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