Anti-government rally erupts in Tbilisi over EU accession delay

Thousands of protesters gathered outside the Georgian parliament in Tbilisi to voice their opposition to Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s announcement that discussions on the country’s European Union accession will be frozen until 2028.

Demonstrators, waving both Georgian and EU flags, blocked Rustaveli Avenue, the thoroughfare leading to the parliament building, demanding the resignation of the government, Caliber.Az reports citing Russian media.

The protest erupted following Kobakhidze’s statement on November 28, where he confirmed that the ruling Georgian Dream party had decided to suspend EU accession talks and reject EU budget grants for the next five years. The government justified this decision by citing continued pressure and "blackmail" from the EU over the start of accession negotiations, including demands to revoke certain laws passed by the Georgian parliament and calls for sanctions against Georgian officials.

As the rally grew in size, reinforced police units were deployed to manage the crowd, and they blocked access to streets leading to the rear of the parliament building. Despite heightened tensions, there have been no significant clashes between protesters and law enforcement.

However, the protests turned violent later in the evening, with scuffles breaking out between demonstrators and police, leading to injuries on both sides, including among law enforcement officers, protesters, and media personnel covering the event. In response, special forces intervened and cleared Rustaveli Avenue, restoring order in the area by the morning.

By Vafa Guliyeva