A demonstrator waves a European Union flag during a protest against the new government’s decision to suspend the European Union accession talks and refuse budgetary grants until 2028, in Tbilisi, Georgia November 30, 2024. REUTERS/Irakli Gedenidze
Georgian President Defies Prime Minister Amid EU Crisis
Georgia faces political turmoil as President Salome Zourabichvili declared her intent to remain in office past her term’s expiration next month, calling the government illegitimate. Her announcement follows Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s Georgian Dream party decision to freeze European Union accession talks for the next four years, a move that has sparked nationwide protests and international concern.
President Rejects Parliament’s Legitimacy
Zourabichvili, a pro-EU figure with largely ceremonial powers, argued that the Georgian parliament, elected in an October election she claims was rigged, cannot legitimately select her successor.
“There is no legitimate parliament, and therefore, an illegitimate parliament cannot elect a new president,” Zourabichvili said.
The president’s stance aligns with widespread opposition to the election results, in which Georgian Dream won 54% of the vote.
Freezing EU Accession Talks
The crisis escalated after Georgian Dream announced a suspension of EU accession discussions, citing “blackmail” by the bloc. Georgia’s constitution enshrines EU membership as a national goal, and polls show it remains overwhelmingly popular among the public.
The decision has drawn condemnation from government critics, major businesses, ministry employees, and diplomats. Many fear it signals a pro-Russian pivot by Georgian Dream, which has faced accusations of authoritarianism and closer ties to Moscow.
Nationwide Protests and Government Crackdown
Large-scale protests erupted in response to the freeze, with demonstrators building barricades outside parliament in Tbilisi and gathering in cities nationwide. Riot police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse protesters, detaining 107 people overnight.
Protester Tina Kupreishvili, standing outside parliament, said:
“The people of Georgia are trying to protect their constitution, trying to protect their country and the state, and they are trying to tell our government that rule of law means everything.”
Notable voices, including Georgia’s national soccer star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, also expressed support for the protesters.
International and Domestic Backlash
The Georgian Dream party, dominated by billionaire ex-Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili, has increasingly clashed with Western nations over allegations of anti-democratic policies. The EU has criticized laws passed under Georgian Dream, including measures against “foreign agents” and LGBTQ+ rights, calling them draconian and pro-Russian.
Meanwhile, the ruling party has moved closer to Moscow, with restored direct flights and the lifting of visa restrictions for Georgians in 2023.
Western governments, which have called for investigations into the October election, view the halt to EU accession as a significant setback. Georgian diplomats in Italy and the Netherlands resigned in protest, and major businesses like TBC Bank publicly supported EU integration.
Growing Fears of a Pro-Russian Shift
Prime Minister Kobakhidze accused EU-aligned opposition groups of plotting a revolution similar to Ukraine’s 2014 Maidan protests, warning, “There will be no Maidan in Georgia.”
The ruling party has denied allegations of authoritarianism and election rigging, while also defending moves to normalize relations with Russia.
Path Forward
The political crisis in Georgia underscores a growing divide between pro-EU citizens and a government accused of steering the country toward authoritarianism and Russian influence. With protests intensifying and diplomatic pressure mounting, the nation faces an uncertain future regarding its democratic trajectory and EU aspirations.
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