Thousands of protesters marched through the streets of Tbilisi for the tenth consecutive day, rallying against the government’s decision to halt European Union accession talks and a disputed election result. The demonstrations, which have gripped the Georgian capital since the 26 October election, show no signs of abating, despite a heavy police crackdown on pro-EU protesters and growing tensions with the opposition.
The Georgian Dream party, which declared victory in the controversial parliamentary election, faces mounting criticism for what many perceive as an authoritarian shift and a drift towards Russia. The recent announcement to suspend EU membership talks sparked a fresh wave of protests, with demonstrators demanding fresh elections and a commitment to European integration.
Protesters, blowing horns and whistles, marched towards the Georgian parliament, blocking traffic and chanting for free and fair elections. Many carried signs reading “We demand free and fair elections” and “Free all unjustly arrested.” Some demonstrators banged on the metal barriers surrounding the parliament’s entrance, while others used laser pointers to target police officers stationed outside.
“We are not afraid,” said 19-year-old protester Giorgi Romanadze. “This is our last chance to be free, to be happy. We want Europe, and Europe only.” Another protester, 32-year-old Teona Chakvetadze, called for greater international intervention, saying, “We need the international community to sanction our oligarchs and this illegitimate government. We can’t win this fight on our own.”
The protests have been met with a violent crackdown by security forces. Independent television station Pirveli reported that its journalists were severely beaten by masked men while covering the protests, with police standing by without intervention. Opposition figures, including Koba Khabazi, were also reportedly attacked, and CCTV footage showed masked men raiding opposition offices.
The opposition alliance, For Change, has accused the government of deploying plainclothes agents to target political opponents, prompting outrage both domestically and internationally. Georgia’s rights ombudsman has condemned the police’s use of torture, citing numerous reports of mistreatment and visible injuries among those detained. Hundreds have been arrested in the past week, including 48 on Friday alone.
Meanwhile, President Salome Zurabishvili, who has clashed with the ruling Georgian Dream party, criticized the election result, calling the newly elected parliament and government “illegitimate.” Zurabishvili has been in talks with US president-elect Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, urging international support for Georgia’s pro-democracy movement.
As the crisis deepens, Western nations, including the United States, France, and Germany, have condemned the crackdown. However, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze dismissed the protests, describing them as a fight against “liberal fascism” and praising his security forces for their actions.
With tensions escalating, the future of Georgia’s European aspirations remains uncertain as the government and opposition show no signs of compromise. Thousands of protesters have also taken to the streets in other Georgian cities, including Batumi, Kutaisi, and Rustavi, in solidarity with the Tbilisi demonstrations.
