Tensions escalate ahead of Georgia's presidential election Protests, security threats, EU’s growing concern

As Georgia prepares for its upcoming presidential elections on December 14, 2024, concerns are mounting over potential disruptions.

The Georgian State Security Service (SSG) has raised alarms, warning that organizers of protest rallies in the capital, Tbilisi, are planning to disrupt the electoral process, Caliber.Az reports per Russian media.

According to a statement from the SSG, these individuals aim to prevent the election of Georgia’s sixth president, potentially triggering a political crisis and undermining the country's democratic stability.

The Security Service claims that the protesters are planning to use destructive and criminal actions to impede the electoral process, escalating the already tense political atmosphere. These developments come at a critical time, as Georgia is under intense scrutiny from both domestic and international actors, with the future of its democracy at stake.

In response to the escalating political tensions in Georgia, the European Union (EU) is preparing to discuss new measures at its upcoming Foreign Affairs Council meeting on December 16.

The EU has expressed deep concern over the actions of the ruling Georgian Dream party, accusing it of stalling the country’s EU accession process and backsliding on democratic principles. The EU’s statement also condemns recent repressive measures taken by Georgian authorities, warning that such actions have significant implications for the bilateral relationship between Georgia and the EU.

The EU urges the Georgian government to de-escalate the situation and take immediate steps to restore stability, emphasizing that violence is not the solution to the protesters' demands for a more democratic and European future for Georgia. The EU has reiterated its support for the Georgian people and their aspirations for greater democracy, aligning with their goals of achieving European integration.

By Vafa Guliyeva