Georgia has been gripped by escalating protests as thousands take to the streets in opposition to the government's decision to halt talks on European Union membership.
Clashes between demonstrators and police in Tbilisi have entered their fifth day, with unrest spreading to at least eight other cities and towns across the country.
The protests erupted after Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced a four-year freeze on Georgia’s EU accession talks, delaying progress until 2028. The announcement triggered widespread anger in the Black Sea nation, where nearly 80% of the population supports EU integration, according to a poll by the National Democratic Institute.
Demonstrations in the capital have seen tens of thousands of protesters marching through the streets, some hurling fireworks at police, who responded with water cannons and tear gas. In the port city of Poti, demonstrators blocked access to a critical commercial route, while opposition groups in smaller towns like Khashuri resorted to throwing eggs at local offices of the ruling Georgian Dream party, reported AFP.
President Salome Zourabichvili, largely a ceremonial figure but a vocal critic of the government, has appealed to European nations for support against what she described as a Russian attempt to influence Georgia's future. Speaking to France Inter radio, Zourabichvili called the protests "the revolt of an entire country" and accused Russia of employing a "hybrid strategy" to undermine Georgia and other nations, including Moldova and Romania.
“There is a very strong need for clear moral and political support from Europe,” said Zourabichvili, who has criticized the use of excessive force against protesters and personally confronted riot police during the demonstrations.
Georgia’s history with Russia adds a layer of complexity to the crisis. Russia invaded Georgia in 2008 and continues to occupy 20% of its internationally recognized territory. Since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, thousands of Russians - many avoiding conscription - have sought refuge in Georgia, sparking fears of cultural "Russification" among the Georgian population.
The ruling Georgian Dream party, in power since 2012, has been accused of steering the country closer to Moscow. Founded by a billionaire with strong ties to Russia, the party has faced criticism for pushing through controversial laws targeting civil society and LGBTQ rights, as well as allegedly rigging the 2020 parliamentary elections.
The European Union and the United States have expressed concerns about Georgia’s perceived drift away from the West. Washington has condemned the use of excessive force against protesters, while Georgia's public ombudsman revealed that 124 of 156 arrested individuals reported police violence. Protests have garnered widespread support, with hundreds of diplomats and civil servants signing letters condemning the government’s decision. At least four ambassadors have resigned in protest, and strikes are being planned nationwide.
The Kremlin has defended the Georgian government's actions, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov accusing protesters of seeking to destabilize the country. Drawing parallels to Ukraine's 2014 Maidan protests, which ousted a pro-Russian leader, Peskov claimed Georgia's unrest was part of a broader Western effort to incite chaos.