Georgia’s president will not step down until ‘illegitimate’ election rerun
Al Jazeera3 days
Republic of Georgia: Protests Spread as Prime Minister Criticizes US
Above: Fireworks fired by protestors explode along police lines as the two sides clash outside the Georgia Parliament in Tbilisi on Dec. 1, 2024, during a demonstration against the government's decision to delay EU membership talks amid a post-election crisis. Image copyright: GIORGI ARJEVANIDZE/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Facts
Tens of thousands of Georgians faced off against police across multiple cities for a fourth consecutive night on Sunday, as Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze rebuffed calls for new elections and Georgian police detained prominent opposition leader Zurab Japaridze early Monday morning.
"The formation of the new government based on the October 26 parliamentary elections has been completed," Kobakhidze said Saturday. On Sunday, protesters in Tbilisi gathered outside parliament, with authorities using water cannons, tear gas, and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.
The Spin
Right narrative
The government's decision protects Georgia's sovereignty against foreign interference and blackmail. The EU has been using accession talks and funding as tools to pressure Georgia into implementing unacceptable policies that would infringe on national dignity, while opposition groups are acting on foreign orders to destabilize the country.
Left narrative
The ruling party is deliberately steering Georgia away from its European path and toward Russia's sphere of influence. The government's actions — including passing Russian-style laws targeting nongovernmental organizations and LGBTQ+ rights — represent democratic backsliding and betray the will of 80% of Georgians who support EU membership.