Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s decision to suspend the process of negotiations on his country’s accession to the European Union (EU) for four years again sparked protests a year after its adoption.
In connection with Kobakhidze’s suspension of the process of negotiations on Georgia’s accession to the EU for four years, a protest rally was held in Tbilisi on November 28, 2024, dedicated to the anniversary of the start of the demonstrations.
Thousands of demonstrators who gathered at night in different parts of the capital marched to the parliament building.
Demonstrators carrying flags of Georgia, the EU, the USA and Ukraine shouted anti-government slogans.
Blocking traffic on Shota Rustaveli Street in front of the parliament building, demonstrators called on the Tbilisi authorities to take effective measures to integrate Georgia into EU.
Representatives of some opposition parties speaking here demanded the release of activists detained and arrested during pro-European demonstrations that took place in the country last year.
Events in Georgia
After Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced on November 28, 2024 the decision to suspend the process of negotiations on the country’s accession to the EU for four years, the country began protests.
The EU, the US, then-Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili and the opposition reacted to the ruling Georgian Dream party’s refusal to recognize the results of the parliamentary elections held on October 26, 2024, and the government’s suspension of EU accession negotiations.
The government of Prime Minister Kobkhadze accused some Western-backed forces, former President Zurabishvili and the opposition of trying to to overthrow the government through “street actions.”
The United States and some European countries have imposed sanctions on some Georgian government officials.
Prime Minister Kobkhadze believes that renewing his country’s relations with the United States is possible under President Donald Trump.