Georgia will suspend negotiations on EU membership
The situation in Georgia escalated on November 28. The reason was Irakli Kobakhidze’s statement. He announced that the country would suspend negotiations on EU membership until the end of 2028 and reject any budgetary grants from the EU. This followed a decision by the European Parliament, which called for new parliamentary elections in Georgia “under international supervision.” Essentially, the European Parliament does not recognize Georgia’s elections.
Following Irakli Kobakhidze’s statement on rejecting EU membership, thousands of protesters blocked the streets of the capital. Mass protests have started in several cities. Clashes have occurred between protesters and security forces in various locations. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia reports that one police officer was injured and taken to the hospital.
The protests in Georgia began after the parliamentary elections on October 26. President Zurabishvili accused the ruling “Georgian Dream” party, which won the elections, of having close ties with Russian authorities.