In brief
Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets of Tbilisi and other cities in Georgia, demonstrating against the government's recent decision to halt discussions regarding European Union (EU) membership. The unrest has markedly intensified, with protests escalating for the fifth consecutive night as citizens express their frustration with the pro-Russian ruling party, Georgian Dream.
The protests began last Thursday, following an announcement that the government would suspend talks on EU membership until 2028. Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili, a supporter of EU integration, has publicly backed the demonstrators, urging them to continue their fight for a European future. “We want our European destiny to be returned to us," she asserted in an interview. In stark contrast, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze reinforced the government's position, asserting that negotiations with the opposition would not take place and calling the demonstrations a foreign-funded attempt at inciting revolution. The rising dissent reflects the growing divide between the Georgian populace and their government as the country grapples with its geopolitical alignment.
