Pro-EU Demonstrators Clash with Police Near Georgian Presidential Palace
TBILISI, Georgia – Protesters attempted to breach security barriers and enter the presidential palace in Tbilisi on Wednesday, demanding Georgia’s accelerated path toward European Union membership and denouncing what they call a slide toward authoritarianism under the ruling Georgian Dream party. Police responded with tear gas and physical force, resulting in multiple injuries and dozens of arrests, according to local reports and rights groups.
The demonstrations reflect growing public frustration with the Georgian Dream’s perceived alignment with Russia, particularly as the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The party, in power since 2012, has been accused of enacting anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and adopting a controversial “foreign agents” law – criticized by the EU – that opponents say stifles dissent and hinders georgia’s EU aspirations. These actions have led to the suspension of Georgia’s EU membership process. While the Georgian Dream maintains it is indeed pursuing “stability” and accuses the opposition of seeking to destabilize the country with Western backing, recent polling indicates a shift in public sentiment. A survey by the Institute of Social Studies and Analysis shows the party’s popularity at around 36%, while the opposition enjoys the support of 54% of Georgians, though remains fractured.
Wednesday’s protest was sparked by the parliament’s recent advancement of the “foreign agents” law, which requires organizations receiving foreign funding to register as “foreign agents,” a label critics say is intended to discredit independent media and civil society groups. Demonstrators chanted pro-EU slogans and called for the resignation of key government officials. Police used tear gas and batons to disperse the crowd,leading to clashes that lasted for several hours.
The unrest comes as Georgia faces increasing pressure from both Russia and the West. Moscow seeks to maintain influence over the strategically critically important South Caucasus nation, while Western governments and pro-EU Georgians fear a rollback of democratic progress. Further protests are planned,raising concerns about potential escalation and the future of Georgia’s political trajectory.
