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Georgia's EU Bid Suspended; 'Georgia Chooses Europe' Protests Erupt Ahead of Elections

Oct 20, 2024, 02:02 PM

The European Council has confirmed the suspension of Georgia's EU accession process due to actions by the Georgian government led by the ruling party, Georgian Dream, that contradict core European Union values. This decision was announced following the Council's meeting on October 17, 2024, where serious concerns were expressed about Georgia's course away from the West and towards an authoritarian trajectory. The European Council reaffirmed its support for the Georgian people. French President Emmanuel Macron stated that the Georgian government's actions have effectively put the accession process on hold. In response, large-scale pro-EU protests have erupted in Tbilisi ahead of the critical parliamentary elections scheduled for October 26. On October 20, thousands of citizens participated in a march titled "Georgia Chooses Europe," marking the first major rally since the "Russian-law protests." Five columns of protesters converged on Freedom Square, demonstrating strong public support for the country's pro-Western path and alignment with the EU. Opposition groups, including the Coalition 4 Change, joined the demonstrations. The elections are seen as a pivotal moment that will determine whether Georgia continues its progress towards EU membership or diverges towards Russia's influence.