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Georgia Suspends EU Talks Until 2028; President Joins Mass Protests After EU Rejects Election Results

Nov 28, 2024, 05:36 PM

On November 28, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced that Georgia will suspend negotiations on European Union accession and refuse EU budget grants until the end of 2028. This decision followed the European Parliament's November 28 resolution rejecting the results of Georgia's October 26 parliamentary elections, citing significant irregularities and democratic backsliding under the ruling Georgian Dream party. The resolution calls for new parliamentary elections within a year. The government accused the EU of "blackmail" in response to the resolution. In reaction to the government's announcement, thousands of protesters gathered across Georgia, including Tbilisi, Batumi, Kutaisi, Zugdidi, and Gori, demanding the continuation of EU integration efforts. President Salome Zourabichvili held an emergency meeting with diplomats and later joined the protests, calling the government's decision a "constitutional coup" and accusing it of declaring "war on its own people." Clashes have occurred between protesters and police, with reports of the use of tear gas and pepper spray against demonstrators, and several arrests have been made.