Thousands of protesters gathered until late into the night in Tbilisi, Georgia’s capital, erecting barricades, smashing windows in the parliament building, and firing fireworks in front of the building, all in protest against the government’s decision to halt talks on joining the EU. Riot police responded by firing water cannons and tear gas into the crowd.
These are the largest demonstrations since the ruling “Georgian Dream” party, which is pro-Russian, was re-elected last month. The pro-European opposition claims the elections were rigged.
At one point, a small fire broke out in the parliament building, likely caused by fireworks. Protesters burned an effigy of Georgia’s richest man, Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of the ruling “Georgian Dream” party, on the steps of the parliament. Georgian media reported other protests in cities across the country.
Earlier on Saturday, the country’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze accused the pro-European opposition of planning a revolution. The State Security Service announced that political parties were trying to “overthrow the government by force.” Georgia has long been one of the most persistent pro-Western post-Soviet states, but has recently turned towards Moscow.
PROČITAJTE VIŠE:
The political crisis reignited when the ruling “Georgian Dream” party announced that it was halting talks on the country’s accession to the European Union. Official Tbilisi accused the EU of blackmailing Georgia.
The story of EU membership is very popular in Georgia, which states in its constitution that its goal is to join this bloc of countries. Standing in front of the parliament building in Georgia’s capital, where European Union and Georgian flags were flying side by side, protester Tina Kupreishvili said she wanted Georgia to uphold its constitutional commitment to join the EU.
“The people of Georgia are trying to protect their constitution, they are trying to protect their country and state, and they are trying to tell our government that the rule of law means everything,” she told Reuters.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili, who opposes the government and supports EU membership but whose powers are largely ceremonial, said she will not leave office when her term ends next month because the new parliament is illegitimate and has no authority to appoint her successor.
“Georgian Dream” won nearly 54% of the vote in the October 26 elections, defeating the opposition, which claims the votes were rigged. Both the ruling party and the Georgian election commission say the elections were free and fair. Western countries have called for an investigation.
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Izvor: Kurir, Foto:EPA/David Mdzinarishvili