Politics

Thousands of Georgians are on the streets in several cities across the country. They're chanting slogans against the pro-Russian government. Protesters are demanding their country join the European Union.

This Sunday, December 1st, as they have been since Thursday, November 28, 2024, pro-European demonstrators aren't discouraged by night fall. Following elections on October 26, marred by suspicions of massive fraud, the pro-Russian Georgian Dream party retained power with its Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze. In response to this government, thousands of demonstrators have been present every evening  in front of the Parliament in Tbilisi for four consecutive days. They're waving European and Georgian flags, sometimes Ukrainian, and shouting: "Georgia!" The movement of discontent has also been observed in most cities across the country, with an equally determined crowd.

Of course not

Paradoxically, the country's president, Salome Zurabishvili, is pro-European. She's a bit of a figurehead of the opposition. She has thus promised not to leave her post, even if it's mostly honorary. She has also declared that the current Parliament has "no legitimacy" to appoint a new president on December 14. On the side of the Georgian Dream in power, when asked by the press about the possibility of organizing new elections to smooth out tensions, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze replied "Of course not". This Caucasian country bordering Russia is therefore really close to implosion, torn between the pro-European camp and the pro-Russian camp.

Police repression

Beyond the popular anger, firecrackers, projectiles and barricades, the demonstrations were marked by the response of the police forces: tear gas and, sometimes, rubber bullets. There were also dispersal maneuvers using water cannons. There are also reports of violent and forceful arrests. These clashes injured about twenty police officers hit by fireworks or various projectiles. At least 220 people were arrested during the night of Sunday to Monday.

Civil servants’ revolt

In addition to the shouting and demonstrations in the streets, many Georgian diplomats, judges and civil servants are dissociating themselves from the government, especially over its decision to postpone discussions on accession to the European Union until 2028. They have published a joint statement. Finally, at least a hundred schools and universities have remained closed since the start of the demonstrations and riots.

(MH with Olivier Duquesne – Source: Le Monde with AFP – Picture: © picture alliance / Anadolu | Davit Kachkachishvili)