People In Georgia Are Holding Huge Protests Against The Pro-Russian Government's Fraud On Election Day
Since it took power in 2012, the party has pushed georgia towards russia and adopted increasingly authoritarian measures like russia.
On Saturday, a rally on an election day against the government of Georgia took a dramatic turn with violent clashes between police and anti-government protestors.
Tens of thousands of people in Tbilisi, Georgia, were protesting against the governing party, Georgian Dream, who has been in power since 2012, while the count for a municipal election was ongoing.
Videos shared online showed police firing water cannons into crowds waving Georgian and EU flags, while demonstrators chanted “We Are Europe.” The slogan has become a rallying cry for Georgia’s young people, who view their country’s future as part of the European Union, rather than under Moscow’s influence.
The elections on Saturday were boycotted by the major opposition parties, who believed last year's general election was rigged and had no faith in the system this time around. Georgian Dream has been accused by the opposition of being pro-Russian and authoritarian.
Earlier this year, the government revived a controversial “foreign agents” bill resembling Russia’s anti-dissent laws, prompting fears of democratic backsliding and pushing thousands into the streets in defence of European values.
As the polls closed on Saturday evening, some demonstrators marched towards the presidential palace, smashed the gate, and attempted to break in. Riot police responded immediately with pepper spray and water cannons. According to the Ministry of Health, the violence led to 21 security personnel and 6 demonstrators sustaining injuries.
The government immediately accused protesters of attempting to overthrow the constitutional order. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze claimed the rally had backing from foreign actors and warned that “no one will escape responsibility.”
Five protest leaders, including famed opera singer Paata Burchuladze, have since been charged with attempting to overthrow the government. If convicted, they face up to nine years in prison. 13 protesters have also been arrested for their part in the unrest.
A joint statement from the European Union by High Representative/Vice President Kallas and Commissioner for Enlargement Kos on Georgia called for those "arbitrarily detained” to be released. They wrote: “We urge calm and restraint in the post-election period and call on the authorities to uphold citizens’ rights to freedom of assembly and expression.”
The opposition continues to accuse Georgian Dream of eroding democracy and aligning with Russia, while the government insists it supports EU integration. For many Georgians, especially the youth, Saturday’s events underscored a growing fear that the country’s European future is slipping further away.
Isha Jain
Cherry Mohamed
Isha Jain
