In a stunning move that has sent shockwaves through the nation, Georgia’s ruling party has announced the suspension of talks on European Union accession until 2028, sparking mass protests and violent clashes between demonstrators and police in the capital, Tbilisi. The decision, which comes amidst growing allegations of authoritarian tendencies and a pro-Russian stance by the government, has left many Georgians fearing for the future of their country’s European aspirations.
Thousands Take to the Streets as EU Dreams Fade
As news of the government’s decision to halt EU accession talks spread, thousands of angry protesters poured into the streets of Tbilisi, blocking roads and marching towards the Parliament building. Many carried EU and Georgian flags, chanting slogans accusing the ruling Georgian Dream party of betraying the nation’s European future and steering the country back towards Moscow’s orbit.
The protests quickly turned violent as masked demonstrators attempted to storm the Parliament, hurling fireworks and stones at police. Security forces responded with water cannons, tear gas, and pepper spray, leaving dozens injured and leading to the arrest of at least 43 protesters. The clashes marked a dramatic escalation in tensions that have been simmering for months, as critics accuse the government of adopting increasingly authoritarian measures and cozying up to Russia.
“Georgian Dream didn’t win the elections, it staged a coup. There is no legitimate parliament or government in Georgia,” declared one young protester. “We will not let this self-proclaimed prime minister destroy our European future.”
President Accuses Government of Declaring “War” on People
Georgia’s outgoing pro-EU president, Salome Zourabichvili, pulled no punches in her condemnation of the government’s actions. In a fiery press conference alongside opposition leaders, she accused the ruling party of waging “war” on its own people and staging a “constitutional coup.”
“Today marks a significant point, or rather, the conclusion of the constitutional coup that has been unfolding for several weeks,” Zourabichvili declared. “Today, this nonexistent and illegitimate government declared war on its own people.”
The president, whose powers are largely ceremonial, confronted riot police at the protests, demanding to know whether they served Georgia or Russia. Her term is set to conclude in December, and the ruling party has put forward a staunchly anti-Western former footballer as her potential successor, further fueling fears of a pro-Moscow drift.
EU Condemns “Significant Irregularities” in Elections
The government’s shock announcement came just hours after the European Parliament adopted a resolution rejecting the results of Georgia’s October parliamentary elections, citing “significant irregularities” and calling for new polls within a year under international supervision. The resolution also urged sanctions against top Georgian Dream officials, including Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.
Opposition parties, which have refused to take their seats in the new Parliament, insist the election was rigged in favor of Georgian Dream, which officially secured almost 54% of the vote. They point to a report by a global research firm describing the official results as “statistically impossible.” Both the ruling party and the election commission maintain the vote was free and fair.
Fears Grow of Georgia’s Pro-Russian Shift
While Georgian Dream denies being pro-Russian and insists it remains committed to democracy and Western integration, critics argue that the party, seen as dominated by billionaire ex-premier Bidzina Ivanishvili, is dragging the country back into Moscow’s sphere of influence. Georgia and Russia have had no formal diplomatic ties since their brief 2008 war, but recent years have seen a limited rapprochement that has alarmed pro-European Georgians.
The Georgian government’s recent actions, including the passage of laws on “foreign agents” and curbs on LGBTQ+ rights that mirror controversial Russian legislation, have drawn sharp criticism from Brussels. The EU’s ambassador to Georgia condemned the violence against protesters and described the freezing of the country’s EU path as “heartbreaking.”
Georgia at a Crossroads
With an overwhelming majority of Georgians supporting EU membership, the opposition is hoping that the government’s blunt admission of plans to delay accession will galvanize more widespread and sustained protests. The coming days and weeks could prove pivotal in determining whether popular pressure can force the ruling party to change course or if Georgia will continue its slide towards authoritarianism and the Kremlin’s embrace.
For a nation that has long prided itself on its Western orientation and Euro-Atlantic aspirations, the stakes could not be higher. As the dust settles from the night’s chaotic scenes, Georgians are left to ponder whether their dream of a European future is slipping away, and what price they may have to pay to keep that dream alive.
