A nationwide three-hour warning strike is planned for January 15th in Georgia, beginning at 3 PM, to pressure the government into holding new elections and releasing detained protesters. The strike, encompassing employers and employees across the country, aims to highlight the economic consequences of the ongoing political crisis. This action follows October’s disputed parliamentary elections and the subsequent inauguration of Mikheil Kavelashvili, further fueling opposition and international concern. The strike is spurred by the government’s rejection of European integration and a crackdown on protestors, prompting calls for intervention from several Northern European nations.
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For six consecutive nights, Georgian riot police violently dispersed pro-EU protesters in Tbilisi, employing water cannons and tear gas. These actions followed the Georgian Dream party’s decision to halt EU accession talks, sparking widespread demonstrations and condemnation from the U.S. Embassy and NATO. The government, led by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, blames foreign influence and has accused protesters of violence, while the opposition alleges electoral fraud and human rights abuses by police. President Salome Zurabishvili, supporting the protesters, has criticized the government’s response, highlighting disproportionate force and allegations of torture. The ongoing unrest raises concerns about Georgia’s commitment to European integration and its potential drift towards Russia.
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Following the Georgian Dream party’s October election win, which international observers deemed problematic, the government suspended EU accession talks until 2028, citing economic unpreparedness. This decision sparked widespread protests in Tbilisi, met with a violent police crackdown resulting in numerous injuries and arrests. The move is viewed by critics as a shift toward Russia, despite denials from the Kremlin, and has drawn condemnation from the U.S. and the EU. Outgoing President Zourabichvili has pleaded for international support in the face of what she calls a national revolt.
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During five days of pro-EU protests in Georgia, police violently suppressed demonstrators, employing tactics that included systematic beatings and torture in custody, as documented by Transparency International Georgia and the Georgian Young Lawyer’s Association. Detainees reported severe injuries and degrading treatment, with a Public Defender confirming widespread allegations of police brutality. Prominent critics suggest this brutality reflects training received from Russian counterparts, indicating a potential export of Russia’s authoritarian playbook to Georgia. This escalation of violence coincides with protests against the government’s pro-Russian stance and postponement of EU integration.
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Following a disputed October 26th election, mass protests have erupted in Georgia, now entering their fourth night, with tens of thousands demanding a new vote and criticizing the pro-Russian Georgian Dream party’s victory claim. President Zurabishvili, calling the government illegitimate, has refused to step down and joined the protestors, while the EU has condemned the election irregularities and the government’s subsequent decision to pause Georgia’s EU accession bid. International condemnation of the government’s heavy-handed response to protests, including the use of excessive force, is mounting, with several countries suspending partnerships.
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Widespread protests erupted across Georgia following Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s postponement of EU accession until 2028, prompting police crackdowns with pepper spray and water cannons. These demonstrations, concentrated in Tbilisi but spreading to other major cities, involve thousands erecting barricades and clashing with authorities near the parliament building. The U.S. responded by suspending its strategic partnership with Georgia, citing the Georgian Dream party’s anti-democratic actions. President Zourabichvili condemned the government’s pro-Russian leanings, while Kobakhidze dismissed fears of a Ukraine-style revolution.
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Georgia is experiencing its third consecutive night of large-scale protests, a powerful demonstration of public dissent following the ruling Georgian Dream party’s unexpected decision to suspend the country’s aspirations for European Union membership talks. The scale and persistence of these demonstrations underscore the deep-seated anxieties and frustrations within Georgian society regarding its future trajectory.
The protests are fueled by a palpable sense of betrayal and disillusionment. Many Georgians feel that the suspension of EU talks represents a significant setback for their hopes of closer integration with the West and a departure from the democratic path they have been striving to follow.… Continue reading
President Salome Zourabichvili, aligning with opposition calls, declared the Georgian parliament illegitimate due to alleged election fraud and demanded new elections. She will remain president to ensure a stable transition, despite the parliament’s plans to replace her. Mass protests, met with police intervention, continue across Georgia, fueled by the government’s decision to halt EU accession talks and concerns about democratic backsliding. International condemnation, including US suspension of its strategic partnership, further intensifies the crisis.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood