In brief
Pro-Western citizens in Georgia continue to rally against a government decision to pause EU membership talks. Amid protests in Tbilisi and other cities, President Zourabichvili backs demonstrators, while the ruling party stands firm against negotiations.
In Tbilisi, since last Thursday, the streets have been vibrant with protests as thousands of Georgians demonstrate against their government's recent decision to suspend talks on European Union membership until 2028. This unrest signifies a deepening political crisis, where the pro-Western sentiment clashes with the pro-Russian policies of the ruling Georgian Dream party. President Salome Zourabichvili, an advocate for EU integration, rallied the citizens, stating, "We want our European destiny to be returned to us." The protests, which started in the capital, have erupted across various cities, showing widespread discontent with the government's stance. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze responded defiantly, asserting there would be "no negotiations" and alleging foreign funding for the protests. He emphasized that Georgia would not face a revolution, signaling the government's resistance to the calls for change, as tensions continue to escalate in this politically charged environment.
