Anti-Government Protests in Georgia Enter Twelfth Day Amidst Intense Police Crackdown

Protesters Defy Police as Georgia’s EU Hopes Diminish

Georgia’s anti-government protests have entered their twelfth consecutive day, sparked by the government’s suspension of EU accession talks. Demonstrators have continued to gather in Tbilisi, despite intensifying police repression, voicing opposition to the Georgian Dream party and its decision to halt negotiations with the European Union. Authorities have responded with water cannons, tear gas, and mass arrests, targeting activists, opposition leaders, and journalists.

EU Accession Talks Halted, Public Outrage Grows

The protests escalated following the October 26 elections, which many saw as a referendum on Georgia’s European future. The ruling Georgian Dream party’s move to pause EU accession negotiations has alarmed many citizens who fear the country’s pro-European ambitions are at risk.

President Salome Zourabichvili, a pro-Western opposition leader, has accused the ruling party of election fraud, alleging Russian interference in the vote. This claim has fueled mass protests, with demonstrators rallying outside Georgia’s parliament. More than 300 people have been detained, and over 100 have been injured in clashes with security forces.

Russia’s Alleged Interference Raises International Concerns

The suspension of EU talks comes as allegations surface of Russian involvement in Georgia’s elections. Opposition figures claim Russia is exerting influence to pull Georgia away from European integration and back into its sphere of control.

Georgia applied for EU membership in March 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine, and was granted candidate status in December 2023. The government’s decision to stall negotiations has sparked frustration among Georgians, many of whom see EU membership as a step toward economic stability and democratic reform.

Escalating Police Crackdown and Attacks on Press Freedom

The government’s crackdown has drawn international criticism. Protesters have faced mass arrests, violent dispersals, and media suppression. Press freedom organizations have condemned attacks on journalists, warning of Georgia’s declining democratic standards.

EU officials and human rights groups have urged the Georgian government to respect citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly. The Norwegian Nobel Committee, which recently honored a nuclear disarmament group, has also expressed concerns over Georgia’s political trajectory and the country’s future within the EU.

Opposition Vows to Continue Protests

Despite increasing repression, demonstrators remain defiant. Protest leaders have demanded the resumption of EU talks and government resignations over what they view as an anti-democratic shift.

With over 300 arrests and rising international pressure, Georgia’s leadership faces mounting challenges in handling the crisis. The protests are now at a turning point, and their outcome will shape Georgia’s future relations with both the EU and Russia.