EU delegation joins protests as Georgia faces turmoil over EU bid

LA European Parliament delegation joined pro-EU demonstrators in Georgia this week as protests over the government’s suspension of EU accession talks entered their second week.

The six Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) also met with Georgia’s pro-Western president, Salome Zourabichvili, along with opposition leaders, civil society groups, and journalists.

Rasa Juknevičienė, a Lithuanian MEP, expressed solidarity with the Georgian people, stating, “The people of Georgia have shown time and again their desire to join the European family. We are here to support their democratic aspirations and send a clear message: Europe stands with you.” Michał Szczerba of Poland added, “Suspending accession talks is not just a political misstep; it is a betrayal of the people’s will and their future.”

Protests erupted after the ruling Georgian Dream party announced on November 28 that it would delay EU accession talks until at least 2028. The decision followed a European Parliament resolution condemning Georgia’s October 26 parliamentary elections as neither free nor fair. International observers cited incidents of violence, bribery, and double voting, and some EU lawmakers have called for a re-run of the vote.

Reinier van Lanschot, the Dutch MEP, criticized the Georgian government’s actions, saying, “The democratic backsliding we are witnessing is unacceptable. The European Union cannot compromise on its principles of fairness and freedom.” Nathalie Loiseau of France remarked, “This is not just about Georgia’s future; it is about the future of democracy in the region. We must remain vigilant and demand accountability.”

The unrest has seen police using heavy-handed measures, with over 400 protesters, including opposition leaders and activists, detained, and more than 100 people treated for injuries. Over 50 journalists have also been hurt during nightly clashes.

Salome Zourabichvili, Georgia’s president, criticized the government’s response, saying, “This repression is not the path to Europe. It only serves to deepen divisions and undermine our democratic values.”

Opposition leaders accuse the Georgian Dream, which retained control of parliament in the disputed election, of rigging the vote with alleged support from Moscow. Critics argue the party is steering the country away from democratic reforms and closer to Russia. “The Georgian Dream has betrayed the people’s trust,” said opposition leader Nika Melia. “They are dismantling the very foundations of our democracy to serve foreign interests.”

The European Parliament’s resolution described the election as another example of Georgia’s democratic decline. “The election represented another manifestation of Georgia’s continued democratic backsliding, for which the ruling Georgian Dream party is fully responsible,” the resolution read.

The European Union granted Georgia candidate status in December 2023, contingent on meeting democratic benchmarks. However, progress has stalled, particularly after the Georgian government passed a controversial “foreign influence” law earlier this year, widely criticized as a blow to democratic freedoms.

“This law was a deliberate move to silence civil society and suppress dissent,” said Tobias Cremer of Germany. “It is no wonder the people are taking to the streets to demand their rights.”

While the protests were initially limited to Tbilisi, they have since spread nationwide, fueled by public anger over the government’s perceived authoritarian turn and abandonment of Georgia’s EU aspirations. Juknevičienė concluded, “The fight for democracy is never easy, but it is worth it. The Georgian people have shown incredible courage, and they deserve our unwavering support.”