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Georgia’s Turmoil: Protests Over EU Negotiations Suspension Leave 44 Hospitalized

Emma Grant
By Emma Grant
Georgia’s Turmoil: Protests Over EU Negotiations Suspension Leave 44 Hospitalized
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Saturday was the third night in a row of protests in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. The protests were caused by the government’s move to stop talks to join the European Union.

44 people were hospitalized because of the unrest, which made the political and social problems in the country even worse.

A huge crowd of people gathered outside of the Georgian Parliament to show their displeasure with the ruling Georgian Dream party and its controversial policies.

Police used water guns and tear gas to break up the crowd of protesters who were throwing rocks and setting off fireworks.

The public burning of an effigy of Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of Georgian Dream and a wealthy businessman known for his ties to Russia, showed how angry the people were.

A Nation in Crisis

On Sunday, the Interior Ministry said that 27 protesters, 16 police officers, and one media person were hurt. This clash shows how far apart Georgia’s pro-European goals are becoming from a government that is being blamed for losing its democratic credentials.

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze told people not to do anything illegal and promised that the law would be strictly enforced.

β€œAny violation of the law will be met with the full rigor of the law,” he said. Kobakhidze also said that political leaders who supported the protests were bad people who used their fans for political gain.

Even though the government decided to stop talks about Georgia’s membership in the EU, Kobakhidze claimed that the country was still working toward joining.

“The only thing we didn’t agree with was the shameful and offensive blackmail, which was a big problem for our country’s integration into Europe,” he said.

International Condemnation

When Georgia said it would stop negotiating with the EU, it came after the European Parliament said that Georgia’s October parliamentary elections were not free or fair.

The U.S. State Department also ended its strategic partnership with Georgia because of this move, which put the country even further away from the rest of the world.

These complaints were not taken seriously by Kobakhidze, who said that the outgoing U.S. government had left problems for the next administration to solve.

“They do this with Ukraine, and now they’re doing it with Georgia too,” he said. “This won’t be very important in the big picture.” We’ll wait for the new government to take over and talk about everything with them.

In a joint statement, Kaja Kallas, who is in charge of EU foreign policy, and Marta Kos, who is in charge of expansion, said they were very worried about Georgia’s progress toward democracy.

In line with the Constitution of Georgia, this announcement is different from the policies of all past Georgian governments and goes against what most Georgians want to do to become part of Europe.

The EU told the Georgian government to protect political rights, such as the freedom to peacefully gather and speak out. They told people to be calm when dealing with journalists, protesters, and leaders.

Opposition’s Outcry

The controversial win of the ruling Georgian Dream party in the elections on October 26 has been a lightning rod for opposition groups, who say the government rigged the results with help from Russia.

The opposition’s decision to skip Parliament has made calls for new elections stronger. Protesters want fair and clear vote processes.

The pro-Western president of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili, talked about her worries in an interview with the Associated Press. She characterized her country as veering toward becoming a “quasi-Russian” state under Georgian Dream’s dominance.

“We’re not calling for a revolution.” According to Zourabichvili, they want new polls but with rules that will make sure the people’s will isn’t lied about or stolen again.

European Aspirations in Jeopardy

In December 2023, the EU gave Georgia candidate status as long as it followed certain political suggestions.

But earlier this year, the EU stopped Georgia from joining and cut off its financial aid after a “foreign influence” law was passed that was seen as a threat to civil rights and democratic government.

Many people in Georgia are angry that the country has stopped talking to the EU. They see joining the EU as a way to get economic growth, stability, and freedom from Russian control.

People who are protesting think that the government’s choice is against national goals and shows that democratic principles are weakening.

A Deepening Divide

The protests show that the gap between the Georgian government and its people is getting bigger.

While Georgian Dream defends its policies as necessary for national sovereignty, critics argue that the party’s actions match more closely with Moscow’s interests than those of the Georgian people.

The streets of Tbilisi used to be full of hope for the country to join Europe, but now they show that the country is at a crossroads.

Protesters want people to be responsible, open, and recommit to democratic values. The crisis has gotten worse because of the government’s harsh reaction and the condemnation from around the world.

What Lies Ahead?

As things get worse, Georgia’s political future is in danger. To meet the needs of its citizens while still retaining its independence, the government has to deal with both domestic and international pressures.

For now, the streets of Tbilisi are still a battleground for two different ideas about Georgia’s future: one that is in line with European values, and the other that seems to be affected by its Soviet past.

The world is paying close attention to see if this situation will lead to real change or make things worse between people.

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By Emma Grant
Emma Grant is a highly regarded legal news expert with a deep understanding of constitutional law and its implications in contemporary society. With her extensive background in legal journalism and analysis, Emma Grant has established herself as a trusted authority on the intersection of law, policy, and society.