<
https://kyivindependent.com/protests-erupt-across-georgia-in-defiance-of-governments-anti-eu-stance/>
'Mass protests against the pro-Russian government have broken out in major
cities across Georgia, despite police attempts to disperse demonstrators, the
Georgian outlet
Sova News reported on Nov. 30.
The protests were sparked by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze's decision to
postpone Georgia's accession to the European Union until 2028.
Police reportedly used pepper spray and water cannons to disperse demonstrators
in Tbilisi on Nov. 29, but protests have now spread to Batumi, Zugdidi,
Kutaisi, Telavi, Gurjaani, and other Georgian cities.
Thousands of protesters have again amassed in Tbilisi's Freedom Square on
Rustaveli Avenue, completely blocking the street.
Protesters have begun erecting barricades near the parliament building,
Echo
of the Caucasus reported. Demonstrators also launched fireworks at parliament,
causing a fire to break out.
Police have reportedly launched smoke bombs against protesters and used water
cannons in response.
In response to the ruling Georgian Dream party's decision to suspend EU
accession talks, the U.S. State Department announced on Nov. 30 that it was
suspending the U.S.-Georgia Strategic Partnership.
"Georgian Dream's various anti-democratic actions have violated the core tenets
of our U.S.-Georgia Strategic Partnership ... As a result, the United States
has suspended this mechanism," the statement read.
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili responded to the decision, calling it
the "tragic result" of the pro-Russian Georgian Dream's anti-democratic
decisions.
"It's clearer than ever that the course they pursue leads only in one direction
— toward Russia," she said on X.
The Georgian Dream party, now led by Kobakhidze, has faced accusations of
democratic backsliding and steering the country closer to the Kremlin. Earlier
this year, the controversial "foreign agents" law prompted mass protests and
violent crackdowns by police.
The October parliamentary elections kicked off another round of protests, amid
accusations that Georgian Dream perpetrated widespread fraud and rigged the
vote.
Following the vote, the European Commission suspended Georgia's EU accession
process, highlighting the growing rift between Tbilisi and the West.
While pro-EU Georgians took to the streets in protest, Kobakhidze defended his
decision to delay EU accession and said that a "Maidan situation" would not
happen in Georgia.'
Via Mark Lansbury and Susan ****
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
