Widespread Unrest Grips Tbilisi as Thousands Demand New Elections
Georgia, a country in the South Caucasus, is currently in the midst of a political crisis following the government’s sudden decision to suspend its efforts to join the European Union (EU). This controversial move has sparked massive protests, with tens of thousands of people taking to the streets, demanding a reversal of the decision and the calling of new elections. Despite the violence unleashed by the police, the protests show no signs of dying down, and the country’s political future remains uncertain.
Suspension of EU Membership Bid Triggers Unrest
The unrest began on Thursday, after Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced that Georgia would no longer actively pursue EU membership and would reject any EU funding until at least 2028. This marked a significant shift for the country, which had previously aimed to join the EU by the end of this decade. Kobakhidze’s statement has come as a shock to many Georgians, particularly since public opinion has consistently favored EU membership. His government’s decision to suspend the EU accession process has ignited a political firestorm, with protesters taking to the streets in Tbilisi, the capital, to express their outrage.
As the days passed, the scale of the protests intensified, with an estimated 100,000 demonstrators gathering around the parliament building on Saturday night. The protesters built barricades around the government complex, and fires were seen burning in the vicinity. The police responded with force, deploying water cannons and firing tear gas into the crowds. Videos circulating on social media showed officers brutally attacking unarmed demonstrators, some of whom appeared to be injured in the clashes.
Thousands of demonstrators gathered late on Saturday in Georgia's capital Tbilisi, building barricades, breaking windows and setting off fireworks outside parliament, in protest against the government which called off talks to join the EU. -Reuters pic.twitter.com/0MwpoZI54H
— WORLD AT WAR (@World_At_War_6) November 30, 2024
The Growing Political Crisis
The protests come after a tumultuous election cycle. Georgia’s parliamentary elections in October were marred by allegations of irregularities, intimidation, and vote-buying, leading to widespread claims of a rigged election. Despite these claims, the ruling party, Georgian Dream, retained power. The European Parliament, in a resolution passed last Thursday, voiced concerns over the fairness of the election process, describing it as neither “free nor fair.”
In response to the government’s suspension of its EU membership bid, several high-ranking officials have resigned in protest. The country’s ambassadors to Italy, the Netherlands, and Lithuania, along with Deputy Foreign Minister Temur Janjali, stepped down, expressing their dissatisfaction with the government’s actions. These resignations have only fueled the public outcry and further deepened the political crisis.
President Calls for EU Intervention
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili has also spoken out against the government’s actions. She has previously accused Georgian Dream of rigging the October elections and has stated that the government has “no mandate” to remain in power. Zourabichvili characterized the ongoing unrest as a demand for “stability,” not revolution, and called for the EU to intervene and oversee a new round of elections.
In her statement, the president urged the EU to step up and ensure that fresh elections are held to restore faith in Georgia’s political process. “The people are calling for a change,” she said, adding that the current government no longer represents the will of the people. Zourabichvili’s call for new elections has gained traction, particularly among the opposition parties, which have accused the ruling party of undermining the country’s democratic institutions.
Clashes with Police Escalate
As the protests stretched into their third consecutive night, tensions between the demonstrators and the police continued to escalate. On Saturday night, authorities reported that the protests had turned violent, with protesters throwing pyrotechnics, rocks, and other objects at police officers. This resulted in a fire breaking out near the parliament building, and several windows were smashed. The Interior Ministry claimed that the protesters had caused significant damage to protective barriers around the building.
The police response has been aggressive, with reports of officers chasing and beating protesters. As of Sunday morning, more than 100 individuals had been arrested, and several police officers had been injured in the clashes. The situation has become increasingly volatile, and it remains unclear how many protesters have been injured during the ongoing violence.
The Role of the European Union
The European Union, which has long been a key partner for Georgia, is now under pressure to address the crisis. European lawmakers, including French MEP and vice-chair of the EU-Georgia Parliamentary Association, have called for new elections to be held in Georgia, urging EU leadership to act. MEPs have criticized Georgian Dream for pivoting the country away from Europe and toward Russia and China, as tensions with the West continue to rise.
In response to the crisis, Louiseau, a French MEP, suggested that EU leaders, including foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas and European Council President Antonio Costa, should visit Tbilisi to meet with the president and the protesters. She emphasized the need for the EU to facilitate a new election process to restore Georgia’s democratic legitimacy. The EU cannot remain silent in the face of this growing political crisis, Louiseau said.
A Nation at a Crossroads
Georgia’s future hangs in the balance as the protests continue to unfold. The government’s abrupt reversal on EU membership has divided the nation, with many Georgians disappointed by what they see as a betrayal of their aspirations to join the European Union. The opposition, meanwhile, is demanding fresh elections and a more transparent political process.
In the meantime, the country’s political institutions are under strain, with resignations from key figures, widespread accusations of election fraud, and violent confrontations between protesters and police. The Georgian Dream party faces increasing pressure, and it remains to be seen whether the government will relent and allow for new elections, as demanded by the people.
As the situation develops, Georgia’s relationship with the European Union will likely be a key factor in determining its future. With the EU’s support, Georgia could restore stability and reassert its commitment to democratic reforms. However, without meaningful action from both the government and the EU, the country risks descending further into political turmoil, leaving its citizens to continue their fight for a brighter future.
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