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7mo ago

Protests Erupt Across Georgia Over Halted EU Membership Talks

Demonstrators clash with police as tensions rise following the government's decision to suspend EU accession discussions until 2028.

A protester waves an European Union flag during a rally outside the parliament to protest the government's decision to suspend negotiations on joining the European Union for four years in Tbilisi, Georgia, early Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. The U.S. has suspended its strategic partnership with Georgia, condemning the ruling party for making the country "more vulnerable" to Russia as demonstrations rage on over the government in Tbilisi pulling away from the European Union and NATO.
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Overview

  • Georgian police used water cannons, tear gas, and rubber bullets to disperse peaceful protesters in Tbilisi, leading to injuries and arrests over several nights of demonstrations.
  • The protests began after Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced the suspension of EU membership talks and rejection of EU budgetary grants until 2028, citing national interests.
  • President Salome Zurabishvili, a pro-EU advocate, joined the protests and criticized the government, calling for new elections and denouncing the violent crackdown on demonstrators and journalists.
  • The European Union and the United States condemned the government's actions, with the EU considering sanctions and the U.S. suspending its strategic partnership with Georgia over concerns about democratic backsliding.
  • The decision to halt EU negotiations has sparked widespread dissent, including resignations by diplomats, public criticism from civil servants, and calls for accountability from international organizations.