2024-12-01 12:04:00
Georgian dreamthe ruling party of the Caucasian country is not having an idyllic time in Tbilisi this week. Even though in the Parliament he believes he can do adn undo as he pleases by having absolute majority In the Chamber, the opposition does not recognise the latest elections as legitimate and is calling for new elections arbitrated by an international governance. Despite this, the government feels capable of doing so stop Georgia’s European path and that measure raised the alarm among the inhabitants of the capital.They have been protesting as Friday evening for the current rulers to leave power and for thier country to get back on the right path Brussels.
During the protests there were intense clashes between riot police and protesters,some of whom have repeatedly used it pyrotechnics both against the agents and against the parliament buildingwhere there was also some fire inside and the security forces intervened water cannons and tear gas. Second georgian media Almost 100,000 people They protested in front of the country’s House of Representatives on Saturday night and there were clashes until the early hours of Sunday morning.
Beyond the streets, significant actors in the country have positioned themselves against the government. The president Salome Zurashvilidespite the fact that Parliament voted for a new president,the former footballer mijail Kavelashviliannounced that he will not resign from his position and that he will remain in office until his mandate expires in December and reaffirmed his support for the protests. “The resistance movement has begun,” he said Friday. Additionally, he argued in favor of maintaining a batting average of new elections and declared the Georgian Dream government “illegitimate”.
The business sector also condemns the current government, including two of the country’s major banks, TBC and Bank of Georgiawho has made statements in this regard. Treatmenta private medical company offered to treat injured protesters free of charge. Popular Georgian athletes like the Napoli star Quicha Quarastkhelia and UFC fighter Merab Dvalishvili They spoke out in favor of the protests. “It is painful and causes strong emotions to see the videos circulating, stop the aggression and violence! ”Georgia needs Europe more than ever” declared the footballer on social media.
International reactions
Criticism comes from both outside and inside the country. Up to four ambassadors assigned to Georgia have resigned in recent days in protest at the country’s current progress. The diplomats of netherlands, Italy, Lithuania and Bulgaria They resigned between Friday and Saturday. the US State department condemned the country’s leadership and suspended the US-Georgia strategic partnership. “Georgian Dream’s anti-democratic actions have violated the essential principles of our agreement,” reads the statement announcing the measure.
The prime minister Irakli Kobayidze responded to the protesters and the EU and even blamed the EU European politicians of what is happening in your country. “Over the last three years, some European politicians and bureaucrats, who have failed to ‘Ukrainization of Georgiathey tried to use the opening of negotiations and the status of a candidate country to weaken it, inciting the so-called polarization of the country and artificially dividing society,” he said on Saturday. The spark of this wave of protests arose precisely from the leader’s announcement of his European path, which will be postponed at least until 2028.
Last Thursday the president himself underlined that integration It is indeed not on the agenda of this legislature and stated that Georgia “wants to try to get into the The EU not for charity or stand on one foot,but with dignity,creating a functioning democratic system and a strong economy.” The EU presented Georgia with a candidacy in December 2023 (together with Ukraine and Moldova) on the condition that it follows the recommendations of the European bloc, although the Brussels-Tbilisi relationship It is not going through its best moment and the Union has also withdrawn financial support for the pro-Russian laws approved by the Georgian executive for the whole of 2024.
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What are the main factors contributing to the current political unrest in Georgia?
Interview between Time.news editor and Political Analyst on the Current Situation in Georgia
Time.news Editor: Welcome to our interview today! We have with us Dr. Elene Koberidze,a renowned political analyst specializing in Eastern European politics. Dr. Koberidze,thank you for joining us.
Dr. Elene Koberidze: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to discuss such an vital topic.
Editor: The situation in Georgia has escalated significantly recently. Can you give us a brief overview of the current political climate in tbilisi?
dr. Koberidze: Certainly. The ruling party,Georgian Dream,currently holds an absolute majority in Parliament,yet they face significant opposition. Recently,many citizens have disputed the legitimacy of the latest elections,leading to widespread claims for new elections overseen by international governance. This discontent has sparked mass protests across the capital, Tbilisi.
Editor: Those protests were quite intense, weren’t they? What do you think is fueling the people’s anger?
Dr. Koberidze: Absolutely, the protests have been marked by violence, including clashes with riot police. The primary source of frustration stems from the belief that the Georgian government is steering the country away from its European integration path. These sentiments were intensified on Friday night when protestors clashed with police, resulting in uses of tear gas and water cannons as they demanded the current leaders step down.
Editor: It’s staggering to hear that nearly 100,000 people took to the streets. What do you think this indicates about public sentiment?
Dr. Koberidze: The sheer number of participants speaks volumes about the public’s dissatisfaction. It suggests a deep-rooted desire for change and a rejection of the current executive authority. The citizens are not only protesting the government’s actions but also expressing their fears about the future of Georgia’s ties with Europe. This combination of factors has united a diverse group of people in a common cause.
editor: You mentioned that significant actors within the country have also positioned themselves against the government. Who are these actors, and what influence do they wield?
Dr. Koberidze: Indeed, various political figures, civil society organizations, and even some influential business leaders have voiced their opposition to Georgian Dream’s policies. Their influence can be crucial in shaping public opinion and rallying support for the protests. Additionally, international actors and organizations may weigh in, urging for fair governance and respect for democratic processes, which coudl further sway the situation.
Editor: The call for new elections is quite significant. What would be the implications of such a move on Georgia’s political landscape?
Dr. Koberidze: If new elections are held and internationally monitored, it could restore public trust in the electoral system and potentially lead to a change in government. This would likely pivot Georgia back toward its European aspirations and align its policies more closely with the EU standards.Conversely, if the current government resists these calls, it could lead to more severe unrest and potentially political instability.
Editor: It sounds like Georgia is at a crossroads. What do you think is the key to finding resolution in this situation?
Dr. Koberidze: Open dialog between the government and opposition, as well as engagement with civil society, is crucial. Both sides must be willing to compromise and prioritize the nation’s well-being over political power. Moreover, the international community must also play a role in facilitating these discussions and ensuring a transparent electoral process moving forward.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Koberidze, for sharing your insights on this complex situation. It will be fascinating to see how events unfold in Georgia in the coming weeks.
Dr. koberidze: Thank you for having me. The developments in Georgia are indeed critical, and I hope for a peaceful resolution that aligns with the aspirations of its citizens.