Georgia's democratic future hangs in the balance as thousands continue to protest against a government accused of abandoning the country's path to European Union membership and crushing dissent.
Several thousand demonstrators gathered outside parliament in Tbilisi on Thursday for an eighth consecutive night of protests, some carrying signs reading "your repression will finish you".
The demonstrations follow Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze's announcement that Georgia would suspend EU membership talks until 2028, despite campaigning on promises of European integration.
His ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party also declared victory in controversial parliamentary elections on 26 October, sparking accusations of authoritarianism.
Kobakhidze has further inflamed tensions by threatening to "eradicate" what he described as the country's "liberal-fascist" opposition. Authorities have responded to the protests with increasing force.
Mounting anger
The protests have grown in scope, with civil servants, grassroots activists and members of civil society joining in. Observers describe the demonstrations as the most intense and widespread in years.
"We must fight here in the streets. No one knows how long this will take," opposition MP Elene Khoshtaria, who was injured during the demonstrations, told RFI.
The protests have taken on a new character compared to earlier demonstrations, said Natalie Sabanadze, Georgia's former ambassador to the EU.
“This is not organised by political parties but by the grassroots,” Sabanadze told Radio Schuman, noting the protests are spreading “beyond bigger cities”.
Many civil servants are signing protest letters or resigning in solidarity, Sabanadze added.
"This new intensity has led to an exceptionally brutal and unusual response from authorities," she said, arguing that the government appears determined to quash dissent swiftly.
EU membership freeze
Georgia's relations with the EU have deteriorated since early this year, when legislation requiring foreign-funded organisations to register as "foreign agents" strained ties with Brussels.
This led to sanctions against Georgian officials and the freezing of the country's EU candidacy status.
The decision to suspend EU membership talks has intensified the unrest.
"We condemn the violence against protesters and regret signals from ruling party not to pursue Georgia's path to EU and democratic backsliding of the county," said EU head of external relations Kaja Kallas on social media.
"This will have direct consequences from EU side."
Democratic test
The next test for Georgia's democracy comes on 14 December when 300 members of the Electoral College will appoint the country's president.
Incumbent Salome Zourabichvili, a vocal critic of the government, is stepping down, further raising concerns about the country’s democratic trajectory.
The appointment comes amid claims the governing party is leading Georgia back towards Russia's sphere of influence.
"Georgia's main strategic value lies in its democracy, in a region that is not democratic and which is dominated by other powers," Sabanadze said.
