Tensions Rise in Tbilisi as Georgian Government Halts EU Talks Until 2028
Police clashed with protesters in Tbilisi, Georgia's capital, on Friday after the ruling Georgian Dream party announced that it would suspend European Union accession talks until 2028. The Interior Ministry reported that three police officers were injured during the skirmishes, with two requiring hospitalization. Law enforcement responded with water cannons, pepper spray, and tear gas to disperse crowds of demonstrators attempting to breach the parliament building. Protesters retaliated by launching fireworks and chanting slogans that included 'Russians and Slaves.'
The unrest comes after thousands of pro-EU supporters blocked major streets in Tbilisi, leading to intense conflicts as the government's announcement sparked outrage. Salome Zourabichvili, Georgia's pro-EU president, condemned the government's actions as a declaration of war on its populace. In a press conference, she claimed that the government had lost its legitimacy, stating, 'Today marks a significant point – or rather the conclusion – of the constitutional coup that has been unfolding for several weeks.' Zourabichvili positioned herself as the only legitimate representative of the Georgian people.
This governmental announcement followed a non-binding resolution passed by the European Parliament, which rejected the results of Georgia's parliamentary elections held on October 26. The resolution cited significant electoral irregularities and demanded new elections within a year under international supervision, alongside sanctions against Georgian officials such as Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.
A 20-year-old protester named Shota Sabashvili exclaimed, 'Georgian Dream didn’t win the elections; it staged a coup. There is no legitimate parliament or government in Georgia. We will not let this self-proclaimed prime minister destroy our European future.'
Georgia's relationship with the EU has notably deteriorated in recent months, with increased allegations from Brussels about the government adopting authoritarian tactics and pro-Russian stances. In defiance, the ruling party asserted its commitment to democracy and relations with the West, but tensions have deepened as it accused the EU of blackmailing the country and provoking unrest. They stated, 'We have decided not to put the issue of opening negotiations with the European Union on the agenda until the end of 2028,' and further declined any budgetary grants from the EU until then.
Historically, Georgia has emphasized its aspirations for EU membership in its constitution, positioning itself as one of the most pro-Western nations among former Soviet states. Despite the rocky relations, public support for EU membership remains high, with polls indicating around 80% of Georgians in favor. The EU flag prominently flies alongside the national flag outside most government buildings.
The ruling party’s announcement met with furious backlash from the pro-Western opposition, leading to widespread protests, including in provincial cities. Prominent opposition leader Giorgi Vashadze accused the government of legally signing an act of betrayal against Georgia and its populace. Zourabichvili, whose presidential term concludes in December, noted that the ruling party declared 'not peace but war' against its people and their democratic future, signaling the gravity of the situation and calling for action.
Following the October elections that saw the Georgian Dream party claim almost 54% of the vote, the opposition has vehemently rejected the legitimacy of these results and has refused to assume their parliamentary seats. Calls for investigations into alleged electoral fraud have echoed among Western nations, with an independent research firm labeling the results as statistically impossible.
Kobakhidze defended the halt in EU talks by suggesting that membership could detrimentally impact Georgia's economy by disrupting existing trade agreements and visa-free arrangements. The EU granted candidate status to Georgia in December 2023, but recent laws viewed as authoritarian and reminiscent of Russian legislation have complicated its EU aspirations. Critics of the ruling party argue that Georgian Dream, under its oligarchic founder Bidzina Ivanishvili, is redirecting the nation back towards Russian influence, a concerning shift for a country that has sought independence since breaking away from the Soviet Union in 1991.
Tensions between Russia and Georgia remain fraught; both countries lack formal diplomatic relations following a brief war in 2008. Nevertheless, there have been indications of limited rapprochement, with Russian President Vladimir Putin commending Georgian authorities for their passing of laws that critics claim mirror repressive Russian tactics.
As unrest continues in Tbilisi, the future of Georgia's European ambitions hangs in the balance, with both domestic and international observers closely watching the unfolding situation.
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