Georgia protesters clash with police after PM suspends EU membership talks
Georgia protesters clash with police after PM suspends EU membership talks
The Facts
Protesters clashed with police in Georgia's capital, Tbilisi, in the early hours of Friday after PM Irakli Kobakhidze announced that his government was delaying European Union accession talks until 2028.
Police used water cannons, pepper spray, and tear gas to disperse protesters as masked individuals attempted to force their way into parliament, throwing fireworks at officers. The interior ministry reported the detention of at least 43 protesters and the injuries of three police officers.
The Spin
The European Union stands with the freedom-loving people of Georgia. The election on October 26 was characterized by irregularities, leading to the conclusion that they were "neither free nor fair." Georgia's ruling party is responsible for the manipulation of the election results and for the overall deterioration of democracy in the country. The European Parliament is calling for international oversight of re-elections within a year and urging sanctions on top Georgian leaders, including the prime minister.
The elections on October 26 were free and fair. Georgia is a sovereign and independent nation that will not allow outside involvement in its internal affairs, even from the European Union. Georgia hopes to join the European Union by 2030, but it confronts a difficult road ahead. The government remains dedicated to accomplishing this aim while strongly opposing any European meddling in Georgian domestic politics. Furthermore, the opposition must refrain from any attempts to destabilize the country.