This Saturday evening, for the third consecutive day, the streets of the center of Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, were once again filled with people to protest against the government’s decision to postpone negotiations with Brussels for accession to the European Union. There were again harsh clashes with the police.
There were more injuries and 50 more arrests, for a total of about 200 arrests since Thursday. Saturday’s presentation was the largest since Thursday and also featured the port city of Batumi as another of the epicenters of popular unrest. The riot police once again used water cannons, tear gas, smoke canisters, individual pepper sprays and this time, according to eyewitnesses, also rubber bullets.
The protesters, for their part, increased the use of Molotov cocktails and, on this occasion, there was widespread firing of fireworks against the police, which caused a fire in one of the rooms of the parliamentary building. There were, as social networks show, those who purchased homemade cannons to launch numerous rockets at the same time. in fact, there are already those who have christened these mobilizations as the “fireworks revolution”.
However, despite strong street resistance, the officers managed to disperse the demonstration and immediately remove the barricades to prevent tents from being set up within its perimeter, as happened during the Maidan uprising in Kiev, just ten years ago . Such a situation would seriously complicate police efforts to end the protests.
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) condemned the police actions in Georgia, calling them “disproportionate” and “contrary to the right to freedom of assembly”.The country’s president, Salomé Zurabishvili, continues to support and participate in the demonstrations, stating that it is “the fight to return to the European path”.
Zurabishvili has promised that he will not relinquish his powers this month, as was to be expected, and will not do so until a repeat of the October 26 legislative elections, which he considers “fraudulent.” Some Georgian diplomats have resigned, accusing the government of “isolating the country”.Several sports stars also expressed their disappointment with the authorities as Washington suspended the strategic agreement signed with Tbilisi.
Georgia’s main opposition parties issued a joint statement deploring the ”systematic violence organized by the (ruling) Georgian Dream party against peaceful protesters and journalists” and calling for ”fighting in the streets together with the people to save our state”. . They have called a new demonstration this Sunday afternoon in Rustaveli Avenue, in front of Parliament. Meanwhile, the State Security Service of Georgia warned this Saturday that it is beginning to observe possible attempts to “violently overthrow the legitimate government” amid the riots. Thus the population was invited to “pay attention and not to join,voluntarily or involuntarily,in this planned provocation” due to the criminal consequences it could entail.
How does the Georgian government’s response to the protests reflect broader regional tensions?
Editor: Thank you for joining us today. As we witness the ongoing protests in Tbilisi, can you provide some context on why Georgians are taking to the streets?
Expert: absolutely.The current unrest stems from the Georgian government’s decision to postpone negotiations with Brussels regarding accession to the European Union. This has led to a strong sentiment among the people that they are being denied a European future, a path they collectively support. The protests we are seeing are a direct reaction to this perceived step back from European integration.
Editor: The demonstrations have escalated over the last few days. What can you tell us about the nature of these protests?
Expert: The protests have taken on a more intense form, especially with the emergence of what some are calling the ”fireworks revolution.” Protesters are using Molotov cocktails and fireworks against police, marking a shift towards aggressive tactics. This escalation also includes reports of the police employing water cannons, tear gas, and even rubber bullets to disperse crowds. Unluckily, this has led to injuries and a rising number of arrests—over 200 so far.
Editor: Can you share insights on the international response to these events?
Expert: Certainly. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) has condemned Georgian police actions as “disproportionate” and contrary to the right to freedom of assembly. Moreover,Georgia’s President Salomé Zurabishvili has expressed her support for the demonstrations,emphasizing the importance of fighting for a return to the European path. Simultaneously occurring, international relations have also been strained, as evidenced by the recent suspension of a strategic agreement with Washington.
Editor: The political landscape appears quite volatile. How are opposition parties reacting to these developments?
expert: Opposition parties are firmly condemning the violence initiated by the ruling Georgian Dream party against peaceful protesters and journalists. They have called for a united front with the people to ”save our state,” indicating a strong mobilization effort that is expected to continue with new demonstrations planned. The political tension is quite palpable, with a backdrop of accusations of a “fraudulent” electoral process and calls for repeat elections.
Editor: What implications do these protests have for the future of Georgia?
Expert: The conflict between the government and the citizens signals a critical moment for georgia’s democratic institutions and its aspirations for EU integration. If the government continues to respond to protests with violence, it risks further alienating the populace and exacerbating tensions. The potential to isolate the country from Western alliances also looms large, which could have significant geopolitical consequences. The ongoing unrest may necessitate reforms that could reshape Georgia’s political landscape.
Editor: what practical advice would you offer to readers who are interested in supporting the movements in Georgia?
Expert: I would recommend that readers stay informed about the situation through trusted news outlets and humanitarian organizations.Supporting non-profit groups working for democracy and human rights in Georgia can be impactful. Additionally, those with connections in the EU or other agencies could advocate for international pressure to ensure that the rights of protesters are respected and that negotiations for EU accession resume. Every little effort counts towards supporting a free and democratic Georgia.
Editor: Thank you for sharing your insights on this critical issue. It is indeed critically important for people to understand the implications of these events not only for georgia but for the broader region.