Georgia's path to Europe hits roadblock as thousands flood streets in protest

The political scene in Georgia turned upside-down after the ruling party suspended its EU membership bid. Irakli Kobakhidze‚ the prime-minister made this shocking announcement in late-Nov (just weeks after his party won disputed October elections)

Thousands of pro-european protesters filled streets across the nation: from big cities to small towns. The government used water-cannons tear gas and anti-riot squads to stop demonstrations; however this didnt stop people from gathering

The ruling Georgian Dream party – led by countries richest man Bidzina Ivanishvili – made this decision right after EU Parliament said October elections werent fair. Many think its either trying to beat EU to the punch or testing waters for more control (like Belarus did few years back)

President Salome Zourabichvili took a stand against the government: she joined street protests refused to accept new parliament and made a unity council. The protests are getting bigger – with no single leader running them which makes them hard-to-control

Government workers started showing cracks in the system: many quit their jobs including US ambassador while others wrote letters against PMʼs decision. Military stays quiet which might mean they support the president – their commander-in-chief

Georgia is being blackmailed by EU

The US already cut some ties with Georgia; experts say West needs to do more:

• Say elections were fake
• Put sanctions on Ivanishvili
• Help president make new elections happen
• Tell security forces to follow constitution

Russia wants more control in nearby countries through different ways: fake elections gas prices or political pressure. What happens in Georgia might show if democracy wins or Moscow gets its way