Georgian President Calls for New Elections as Protests Rekindle

Georgia’s pro-Western president has stated her intention to remain in office until new parliamentary elections are conducted, as demonstrations persist regarding the government’s decision to pause EU accession negotiations. Speaking to the BBC, Salome Zourabichvili, who has aligned herself with the opposition, characterized the current parliament as “illegitimate” following allegations of fraud in last month’s elections. Zourabichvili affirmed she would retain her presidential role, despite the country’s newly elected parliament declaring its plan to select her replacement on December 14. Mass protests in the capital continued for a third consecutive night on Saturday in Tbilisi. Riot police have been deployed around the nation’s parliament, which has served as the central point for three nights of demonstrations. Officers once again utilized tear gas and water cannon against protesters into the early hours of Sunday, as they attempted to move people away from the parliament building. Demonstrations were also occurring in the cities of Batumi, Kutaisi, Zugdidi, and other Georgian regions. “I’m offering this stability for the transition, because what these people on the streets are demanding is a call for new elections in order to restore this country and its European path,” Zourabichvili stated. Hundreds of civil servants have signed letters expressing their disapproval of the government’s choice to put negotiations with the EU on hold, asserting that it went against Georgia’s national interests. Georgian ambassadors to Bulgaria, the Netherlands, and Italy have also resigned. The US announced on Saturday that it was suspending its strategic partnership with Georgia, citing the government’s “various anti-democratic actions.” Since 2012, Georgia has been governed by Georgian Dream, a party which critics claim has sought to steer the country away from the EU and closer to Russia. The party declared victory in last month’s election, but opposition MPs are boycotting the new parliament, alleging fraud. On Thursday, the European Parliament endorsed a resolution, describing the election as the latest stage in Georgia’s “worsening democratic crisis” and stating that the ruling party was “fully responsible.” It expressed particular concern about reports of voter intimidation, vote-buying and manipulation, and harassment of observers. Following the resolution, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said his government had “decided not to bring up the issue of joining the European Union on the agenda until the end of 2028.” In response, thousands of pro-EU protesters began demonstrating outside Georgian Dream offices in the cities of Tbilisi and Kutaisi on Thursday. A group of public figures, writers, and journalists have also been protesting outside the country’s public broadcaster in the capital Tbilisi, accusing it of serving as a mouthpiece for the nation’s ruling party. “The public broadcaster must be freed from the influence of the Russians and the pressure of the regime,” said writer and activist Lasha Bugadze. He added, “The public broadcaster covers the whole of Georgia and they are brainwashing our population with propaganda, people who may not be sure what is going on.” Four opposition coalitions and parties that secured seats in last month’s parliamentary elections but refused to take up their mandates, citing widespread vote rigging, have issued a joint statement. This statement calls for fresh elections under international supervision. The statement read, “Parties with a legitimate mandate of the Georgian people will confront the illegitimate regime of Georgian Dream and the systemic violence against peaceful demonstrators and journalists.” In a statement, the US condemned the “excessive use of force” in Georgia and urged all sides to ensure the protests remain peaceful. “The Georgian people overwhelmingly support integration with Europe,” a statement from the State Department said. Approximately 150 people were detained following the November 29 protests in the capital Tbilisi. Police used water cannon, tear gas, and rubber bullets to disperse the protesters. At dawn on November 30, the police crackdown intensified as they began chasing the demonstrators, with reports of protesters being kicked and beaten with batons. The prime minister stated that 50 police officers were injured at the hands of “violent protesters who threw Molotov cocktails, pyrotechnics, glass, stones at the police.” Kobakhidze has also criticized European politicians for “hurling a cascade of insults” at the Georgian government. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.