Thousands protest in Tbilisi as opposition targets ruling party offices

Thousands of demonstrators gathered outside the Georgian parliament building in Tbilisi for yet another anti-government rally.

Protesters blocked Rustaveli Avenue, which leads to the parliament, waving Georgian and EU flags, and holding placards calling for the resignation of the government and the holding of fresh parliamentary elections, Caliber.Az reports citing Russian media.

Prior to the rally, students organized a march to the parliament building to express their dissatisfaction with the current political situation.

Reinforced police units were deployed outside the parliament, stationed behind and on both sides of the legislative building. However, no special forces or riot control vehicles, such as water cannons, were visible at the scene. At the time of reporting, there had been no clashes between the protesters and the police.

Amid the protests, tensions continued to rise, with the Georgian government accusing opposition members of attacking the offices of the ruling party, Georgian Dream. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze condemned these actions, stating that opposition groups had attempted to set fire to the ruling party's office in Kutaisi the previous day. He also reported that stones were thrown at the party office in Zestafoni on December 2, injuring a female employee.

Despite these provocations, Kobakhidze emphasized that the ruling party had no intention of responding to such actions, maintaining a firm stance against engaging in further escalation.

The protests were triggered by a statement from the Prime Minister, in which he announced that the ruling Georgian Dream - Democratic Georgia party had decided not to prioritize negotiations for European Union accession until at least 2028. Additionally, the party declared its intention to reject all budgetary grants from the EU.

According to the Georgian Interior Ministry, 224 protesters were arrested over a four-day period, with three facing criminal investigations. Forty-four individuals, including both protesters and police officers, were hospitalized. 

By Vafa Guliyeva