Protesters in Georgia continued their demonstrations for the third consecutive night against the government's decision to suspend negotiations to join the European Union. The unrest led to clashes with police, resulting in over 100 arrests as demonstrators rallied in front of the country's parliament building in Tbilisi.
During the protests, police were seen chasing and beating protesters, while heavy force was also used against members of the media. Water cannons were deployed to push back protesters along Rustaveli Avenue, the capital's central boulevard.
The demonstrations were sparked by the ruling Georgian Dream party's controversial victory in the parliamentary election on October 26. The opposition boycotted the parliament, alleging that the election was rigged with the assistance of Russia to maintain influence over Georgia.
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili expressed concerns about the country's direction, stating that Georgia was becoming a 'quasi-Russian' state with major institutions under Georgian Dream's control. She rejected claims by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze that characterized the protests as violent, emphasizing the demand for new elections to ensure the people's will is accurately represented.
The European Parliament condemned the October election as neither free nor fair, leading to the suspension of EU accession negotiations by the Georgian government. European observers cited instances of bribery, double voting, and violence during the election, prompting calls for a rerun under international supervision.
In response to the EU's actions, Prime Minister Kobakhidze criticized the European Parliament's stance, accusing them of using blackmail against Georgia. He announced the rejection of EU budgetary grants until the end of 2028.
Critics have accused the Georgian Dream party, founded by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, of authoritarianism and alignment with Moscow. Recent laws passed by the party have raised concerns about restrictions on freedom of speech and LGBTQ+ rights, drawing parallels to measures employed by the Kremlin.
