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Large-scale protests begin in Georgia amid refusal to negotiate EU accession

Large-scale protests begin in Georgia amid refusal to negotiate EU accession Archive photo: large-scale protests erupt in Georgia following the refusal to negotiate EU accession (Getty Images)

On the evening of Thursday, November 28, large-scale protests began in Georgia. This occurred after the country's government rejected talks regarding Georgia's accession to the European Union, Ekho Kavkaza reports.

According to the news agency, spontaneous rallies gathered near the central office of the Georgian Dream ruling party and the parliament building in Tbilisi. These protests were organized through social media.

During the rallies in Tbilisi, protesters blocked Rustaveli Avenue.

According to the participants of the protest, Georgia's refusal to negotiate for EU membership until 2028 is seen as a betrayal of the country's interests. They also consider it a violation of Article 78 of the Georgian Constitution, which enshrines the country's aspiration for European integration.

In the opinion of the protesters, such actions by the government threaten Georgia's future and undermine years of efforts to align with Europe.

What does the President of Georgia say

According to Salome Zourabishvili, she has already held emergency consultations with the diplomatic corps and the opposition.

"Today, a conclusion was reached in the constitutional coup that has been ongoing for several weeks or even months. A conclusion was made in the shift from Europe to Russia. If anyone had doubts, today those doubts were dispelled," she stated.

Zourabishvili believes that by rejecting European integration, the "non-existent, illegitimate government declared not peace, but war — against its own people, its own past, and its own future."

"There is no Georgian statehood, no independence, and no future without Russia on this path," ZourabiShvili emphasized.

She also pointed out that Russian President Vladimir Putin "expressed his satisfaction and praised the Georgian authorities for their submission" immediately after Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze's speech.

What preceded

Earlier today, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced that the Georgian government would refuse to begin negotiations with the European Union until the end of 2028. The country also rejected any budgetary assistance from the EU.

It is worth noting that in late October, Georgia held parliamentary elections. During the elections, violations and widespread ballot stuffing were recorded.

According to the Central Election Commission, the Georgian Dream ruling pro-Russian party received over 54% of the vote. Four opposition parties passed the 5% threshold and entered parliament, but they refused to recognize the election results. A protest was held in Tbilisi following the elections.

Additionally, President Salome Zourabishvili and the opposition did not recognize the election results. Protests against the declared election outcomes began in Tbilisi.