Protests Erupt Across Georgia Amid Rising Tensions Over EU Accession Talks

 Protests in Georgia's capital, Tbilisi, continued for a fourth consecutive night on Sunday, as demonstrations against the government's decision to suspend European Union accession talks escalated. The unrest, which began in response to the government's announcement on Thursday, is now spreading to other parts of the country, signaling growing opposition to the ruling Georgian Dream party’s policies.

For months, tensions have been building between the government and its critics, with the opposition accusing Georgian Dream of adopting increasingly authoritarian, anti-Western, and pro-Russian policies. The crisis deepened after the government's declaration that it would freeze EU accession negotiations for the next four years, a move that has sparked widespread protests, particularly among pro-EU factions.

On Sunday evening, demonstrators gathered in central Tbilisi’s Rustaveli Avenue, where they clashed with police forces. Protesters threw fireworks and other objects at law enforcement, who responded with water cannons and tear gas. As the standoff continued into the early hours of Monday, police began dispersing crowds, pushing them from the parliament building down Rustaveli Avenue towards the Tbilisi Opera House, setting up barricades along the way.

Nikoloz Miruashvili, a protester in Tbilisi, expressed frustration with the government's actions: "Quite frankly, it's been very tiring to see that our government does not hear what the people desire. I'm here to defend my European future and the democracy of my country."

Opposition groups have called on demonstrators to demand paid leave from work to attend protests, with several urging employers to comply with the request. In addition to protests in Tbilisi, smaller demonstrations have been reported across the country, including in the Black Sea city of Poti, where protesters reportedly blocked access roads to the main commercial port, and in Khashuri, where locals threw eggs at the Georgian Dream office.

The growing unrest comes amid mounting international concern over Georgia's shifting political trajectory. Both the European Union and the United States have expressed alarm over the Georgian government's increasing tilt towards Russia. In contrast, Georgian Dream maintains that it is acting in the nation's best interest by resisting external pressures and defending Georgia's sovereignty.

Russia, which closely monitors political developments in its neighboring states, has weighed in on the situation. Dmitry Medvedev, a former Russian president, described the protests as an "attempted revolution" and warned that Georgia was "moving rapidly along the Ukrainian path"—a reference to the crisis in Ukraine, which Russia views with deep concern.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze dismissed U.S. criticism of the government's response to protests, including the use of force against demonstrators. He downplayed the significance of Washington's decision to suspend its strategic partnership with Georgia, characterizing the move as "temporary" and expressing confidence that relations would improve after the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump in January.

President Salome Zourabichvili, a strong advocate of closer ties with the West, has also condemned the government's actions, calling the recent elections illegitimate and urging the Constitutional Court to annul the results. Zourabichvili, who is set to leave office at the end of the month, rejected calls for her resignation, stating that the new parliament lacked the authority to appoint a successor.

The political crisis has also sparked controversy over recent legislative changes. In June, the government passed a law requiring non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to register as "foreign agents" if they receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad. In September, a controversial law restricting LGBT rights was also approved by parliament. Critics argue that these measures reflect an increasing alignment with Russia’s conservative values, while the government asserts that they are necessary to safeguard national sovereignty.

The EU’s newly appointed foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, expressed solidarity with the Georgian people, declaring, "We stand with the Georgian people and their choice for a European future." Her statement underscores the growing divide between Georgia's aspirations for EU integration and the current government's policies, which many view as undermining those ambitions.

As the protests continue and the political crisis deepens, Georgia’s future trajectory remains uncertain, with the government facing increasing pressure both domestically and from the international community to reconsider its stance on EU membership and its broader foreign policy orientation.