Tens of thousands of Georgians protest – Day 11
For the 11th consecutive day, tens of thousands of Georgians have taken to the streets of Tbilisi, determined to keep their European Union membership aspirations alive. The protests target the ruling Georgian Dream party’s controversial decision to suspend EU accession talks for four years.
Massive crowds gathered outside the Georgian Parliament in the capital, only to face a heavy-handed response from law enforcement. Riot police used water cannons, tear gas, and batons to disperse protesters, sparking outrage among demonstrators who vowed to continue their fight.
Why Are Georgians Protesting?
The unrest began in response to the results of the October 26 parliamentary elections, widely seen as a referendum on Georgia’s EU ambitions. The ruling Georgian Dream party retained power, but opposition groups accused them of election fraud with alleged assistance from Russia. The disputed results intensified public anger, leading to protests initially centred around election fairness.
The movement gained new momentum last Thursday when Georgian Dream announced a freeze on EU accession talks until 2028. The decision followed a European Parliament resolution criticising the elections as neither free nor fair, accusing Georgian Dream of undermining democratic progress.
Tbilisi’s application for EU membership, filed in March 2022 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, marked a pivotal moment for the country. EU Candidate Status was granted in December 2023, sparking celebrations in the streets of Tbilisi and bolstering hope for a future aligned with Europe.
For many Georgians, the suspension of talks is a devastating blow to their aspirations for a democratic and European future. Protesters view the move as a betrayal by the ruling party, which they accuse of prioritising ties with Moscow over the will of the Georgian people.
