International
Pro-EU Protests Rock Georgia As President Calls For New Elections
Georgia’s pro-Western President Salome Zourabichvili has vowed to remain in office until new parliamentary elections are held, as mass protests erupt over the government’s decision to suspend EU accession talks.
Speaking to the BBC, Zourabichvili, who has aligned herself with the opposition, called the current parliament “illegitimate,” citing allegations of fraud in last month’s elections.
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The Georgian parliament, controlled by the ruling Georgian Dream party, has announced plans to replace Zourabichvili on December 14, but she insists on staying to ensure stability during what she describes as a crucial transition.
For the third consecutive night, demonstrations in the capital Tbilisi have intensified, with riot police deploying tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters gathered outside the parliament. Similar protests are spreading to other cities, including Batumi, Kutaisi, and Zugdidi.
Zourabichvili expressed solidarity with demonstrators, stating, “I am offering this stability for the transition because these people in the streets are demanding new elections to restore the country’s European path.”
The decision to freeze EU accession talks has sparked outrage among civil servants, with hundreds signing letters condemning the move as counter to Georgia’s national interests. Several ambassadors, including those to Bulgaria, the Netherlands, and Italy, have resigned in protest.
The US has announced the suspension of its strategic partnership with Georgia, citing the government’s “various anti-democratic actions.” A State Department statement emphasized that the Georgian people “overwhelmingly support integration with Europe.”
Opposition parties, who are boycotting parliament after alleging widespread election fraud, have called for new elections under international supervision. In a joint statement, four opposition coalitions condemned the ruling party’s “systemic violence against peaceful demonstrators and journalists.”
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The European Parliament has described Georgia’s recent elections as part of a “worsening democratic crisis.” It highlighted concerns about voter intimidation, vote-buying, and the harassment of observers, holding the ruling party fully responsible.
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze dismissed these criticisms, announcing that EU membership would not be pursued until at least 2028. In response, thousands of protesters gathered outside Georgian Dream offices, demanding a reversal of the government’s stance.
Protests turned violent as police clashed with demonstrators, detaining over 150 people. Reports of excessive force, including beatings with batons and rubber bullets, have drawn condemnation from human rights groups and the US government.
Prime Minister Kobakhidze accused protesters of inciting violence, claiming 50 officers were injured during clashes. Meanwhile, activists and public figures have criticized state media for spreading government propaganda, with writer Lasha Bugadze calling for the “liberation” of Georgia’s public broadcaster.
As tensions escalate, Georgia faces mounting international scrutiny and internal pressure, with many viewing the government’s EU stance as a pivotal moment for the nation’s future.
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