Georgia in Crisis: Protests Erupt Over EU Accession Talks Suspension
Background
Georgia, a country of 3.7 million people that was once part of the Soviet Union, has been plunged into crisis since the governing Georgian Dream party said on Thursday it was halting European Union accession talks for the next four years. The EU and the US are alarmed by what they see as Georgia’s shift away from a pro-western path and back towards Russia’s orbit.
Protests and Crackdown
Big anti-government protests have taken place in the capital Tbilisi for the past three nights, and police have fired water cannon and tear gas into the crowds. More protests are planned in Tbilisi for tonight, and local media reported demonstrations were taking place in towns and cities throughout the country. Russian security official Dmitry Medvedev said today that an attempted revolution was taking place in Georgia.
Government Response
Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze praised police for cracking down on protesters, saying they were acting on foreign orders to undermine the state. He dismissed criticism by the US, which has condemned the use of "excessive force" against demonstrators. Kobakhidze also shrugged off Washington’s announcement yesterday that it was suspending its strategic partnership with Georgia.
Constitutional Crisis
Deepening the constitutional crisis in the country, outgoing President Salome Zourabichvili – a critic of the government and a strong advocate of Georgian membership of the EU – said yesterday that she would refuse to step down when her term ends later this month. Zourabichvili said she would stay in office because the new parliament – chosen in October in elections that the opposition says were rigged – was illegitimate and had no authority to name her successor.
EU Response
New EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas voiced solidarity with the demonstrators, saying "We stand with the Georgian people and their choice for a European future." She condemned the violence against protesters and regretted the government’s decision not to pursue Georgia’s path to EU membership, warning that this would have direct consequences from the EU side.
Conclusion
The situation in Georgia is increasingly volatile, with protests and crackdowns escalating tensions. The government’s decision to suspend EU accession talks has been met with widespread condemnation, and the country’s future path is uncertain. The EU and the US are urging the government to reconsider its decision and pursue a pro-western path, while the government insists it is acting to protect the country from foreign interference.
FAQs
Q: Why has the Georgian government suspended EU accession talks?
A: The government has suspended talks to protect the country from foreign interference and avoid suffering the fate of Ukraine by being dragged into a new war with Russia.
Q: What is the reaction from the EU and the US?
A: The EU and the US have condemned the government’s decision and are urging it to reconsider. The US has also suspended its strategic partnership with Georgia.
Q: What is the situation with President Zourabichvili?
A: Zourabichvili has refused to step down when her term ends later this month, citing the illegitimacy of the new parliament.
Q: What is the government’s stance on foreign agents?
A: The government has enacted a law obliging NGOs to register as "foreign agents" if they receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad.