Protests by the pro-European opposition due to the "constitutional coup" of the pro-Russian government

Several people were injured during the protest in Georgia, caused by the government's refusal to continue accession negotiations to the European Union. According to media reports, at least 18 police officers were injured in the capital Tbilisi, while the exact number of injured protesters is still unknown. Several arrests were also reported. Protests continued into the early hours of the morning.

The media reports that the demonstration with pro-European messages, in which hundreds of people participated, was also in larger cities such as Batumi, Kutaisi, Gori and Zugdidi. writes Deutsche Welle (DW).

Photo: AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze

The President of the State at the protests

In the center of Tbilisi, late Thursday evening, several thousand people gathered in front of the parliament building. Pro-European President Salome Zourabishvili joined the protests, accusing the government of a "constitutional coup".

A large number of armed police blocked the parliament building. After midnight (local time), security forces used tear gas and water cannons. According to Georgian media reports, some protesters said that rubber bullets were also used.

Kobahidze - joining process on the ice for four years

On Thursday afternoon (November 28th), national conservative Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced that the process of joining the European Union has been suspended. Before the end of 2028, Georgia will not negotiate with Brussels on accession, nor will it accept EU budget subsidies until then.

Kobakhidze assessed the EU's criticism of the increasingly authoritarian course of the national-conservative ruling party "Georgian Dream" as an unacceptable pressure on his country. At the end of October, that party was declared the winner of the parliamentary elections, which were overshadowed by accusations of falsification of the results.

Photo: AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze

Brussels also froze the process.

The former Soviet republic of Georgia was granted candidate status for EU membership in December 2023, along with Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova.

However, relations between Georgia and the EU quickly deteriorated, as the ruling party increasingly adopts a Eurosceptic stance and seeks to limit perceived foreign influence in the country.

The drive to control civil society is reminiscent of the methods used in Russia. Because of this, Brussels also froze the process of this country's approach to the European Union.

On the other hand, the opposition in Georgia wants to stay on the European course and accuses the government of winning the election solely through manipulation.