Georgia puts EU dreams on hold as street protests erupt in Tbilisi

Georgiaʼs ruling party blocks EU membership talks and rejects financial support for next four years. Street clashes break-out in Tbilisi as people show their anger against pro-russian moves

November 29 2024 , 02:40 AM  •  3323 views

Georgia puts EU dreams on hold as street protests erupt in Tbilisi

Police in Tbilisi used water-cannons and tear-gas against angry protesters (who gathered near parliament building) after Georgian Dream party made a shocking announcement about EU membership talks. The govtʼs decision to pause EU negotiations and reject financial aid until 2028 caused nation-wide protests; three police officers got hurt in the clashes

Irakli Kobakhidze the prime-minister made some weird statements about EU membership being bad for economy - which doesnt match with countries constitution that has EU goals written in it. The ruling party blamed EU for black-mailing and making too many insults towards Georgia: this comes after Brussels criticized many new laws that look similar to Russian ones

The timing is super-bad as Georgia just got its EU candidate status last winter. About 80% of people support joining EU but the Georgian Dream party keeps making pro-russian moves lately. President Salome Zourabichvili - who will finish her job next month went to protest site and faced riot police

The self-proclaimed illegitimate government has already legally signed the betrayal of Georgia and the Georgian people

Opposition leader Giorgi Vashadze wrote on Facebook

The situation got more complex after last months election where ruling party got 54% of votes; opposition says it was fake. While govt keeps saying everything was fair - western countries want someone to check what happened there. Meanwhile Vladimir Putin praised Georgian leaders for their brave decisions; this happens even though Russia still controls two break-away regions since their short war