Thousands protest in Tbilisi after EU suspends tender

Thousands of protesters have returned to the streets of Tbilisi to protest the government’s decision to suspend accession talks with the European Union.

On Friday, protesters were seen shouting “traitors” and holding photos of journalists who they said were beaten by police during the previous night’s protests.

During the second night, police deployed tear gas and used water cannon against protesters.

Previously, more than 100 diplomats and civil servants in Georgia signed an open letter saying that the government’s decision was not in line with Georgia’s strategic interests.

Defending his decision, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze accused the EU of “blackmail” after EU lawmakers called for a rerun of last month’s parliamentary election in Georgia. They cited “significant irregularities”.

Since 2012, Georgia has been ruled by Georgian Dream, a party that critics say has tried to take the country out of the EU and closer to Russia.

The party claimed victory in last month’s election but opposition lawmakers are boycotting the new parliament, accusing it of fraud, while President Salome Zourabichvili has called the one-party parliament “unconstitutional”. .

On Thursday, the European Parliament support a resolution described the election as the latest phase in Georgia’s “worsening democratic crisis” and said the ruling party was “fully responsible”.

It expressed particular concern about reports of voter intimidation, vote buying and manipulation, and harassment of observers.

The European Parliament also called for sanctions against Georgia’s prime minister and other senior officials, including ruling party billionaire founder Bidzina Ivanishvili.

After the resolution, Georgia’s Prime Minister said his government had “decided not to put the issue of joining the European Union on the agenda until the end of 2028”.

He said Georgia would still seek EU membership but with “dignity” and on its own terms.

Kobakhidze also criticized European politicians for “launching a series of insults” at the Georgian government.

In response, thousands of pro-EU protesters began demonstrating outside Georgian Dream offices in the cities of Tbilisi and Kutaisi on Thursday.

Protesters see the government’s U-turn as a betrayal of national aspirations.

The goal of European integration is written in the Georgian constitution.

During the first night of protests, police used batons, tear gas and water cannons after protesters barricaded several streets in Tbilisi.

Georgia’s Interior Ministry said protesters repeatedly resorted to provocations, damaged infrastructure and “seriously injured” 32 police officers.

The exact number of protesters injured was unclear, but a member of the opposition group Alliance for Change said one member of the group, Nana Malashkhia, had a broken nose.

“During the crackdown, we took shelter in a pharmacy, but special forces rushed in to chase us. Without the presence of the media, they could have beaten us to death,” Giorgi Butikashvili told the BBC.

Footage on social media also showed a journalist from opposition Formula TV being brutally beaten by police.

Other media representatives wearing clearly marked press labels were also targeted.

On Friday, the EU ambassador to Georgia called the government’s suspension sad and heartbreaking.

Pawel Herczynski believes that it goes against the policies of previous governments and the wishes of the vast majority of people. Public opinion polls show that more than 80% of Georgians see their country’s future as part of the European Union.

“Georgian Dream did not win the election,” Shota Sabashvili, 20, told AFP news agency. It staged a coup.”

“There is no legitimate parliament or government in Georgia. We will not let this self-proclaimed prime minister destroy our European future.”

Ana, a student, said the Georgian Dream “goes against the will of the Georgian people and wants to drag us back to the Soviet Union”.

“It will never happen because the people of Georgia will never let this happen,” she told The Associated Press.

Uta, a protester, told the BBC that Georgians wanted a “better future” as a member of the European Union.

“We don’t want to be part of Russia anymore,” he said.

Another protester, Vakho, said the government’s actions were disappointing and did not represent “the will of the people of Georgia.”

Georgia has had official EU candidate status since 2023. However, Brussels paused the accession process earlier this year about Russian-style law targeting organizations accused of “pursuing the interests of foreign powers”.

Kobakhidze said Georgia would continue to make the reforms needed to join and that it still planned to join in 2030, but added that “it is important for the EU to respect national interests and values.” our traditional rule”.

Former Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili told the BBC that the country was at an “unprecedented” turning point.

“Since our independence 30 years ago, we are clearly pro-Western, we are clearly pro-NATO and clearly pro-EU and this is uniting whatever government there is.”

But now, he added, there was an attempt “by a group of people who control power in Tbilisi and the Kremlin to essentially bring Georgia as quickly as possible into Russia’s orbit”.

Georgia’s ambassador to Bulgaria also resigned in protest. Otar Berdzenishvili said he has worked hard for more than two decades to promote Georgia’s EU integration process.

“Our tireless efforts must not waver or be compromised under any circumstances. No, violence is against the free will of peaceful protesters, let’s stand in complete solidarity with them .”