Defiant Pro-EU Protests Persist in Georgia Amid Political Strife

Thu Dec 04 2025 21:56:49 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A year after the halt to its EU accession process, large-scale protests continue in Georgia, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with the government and fears of increased Russian influence.

Georgia is witnessing continual nightly protests a year after the government's abrupt halt of the EU accession process drew widespread outrage. Activists claim that the current government is dismantling democratic frameworks, leading to increased repressive measures against opposition figures. Despite a crackdown, protest leaders remain steadfast, calling for freedoms, reform, and to reclaim Georgia's European aspirations amidst fears of a retreat towards Russian influence.

I'm standing for the future of this country, says Giorgi Arabuli, who has taken part in protests on the streets of Georgia's capital Tbilisi almost every night since they began a year ago.

Mass demonstrations were met with violent police crackdowns as tens of thousands of Georgians turned out, angered by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze's decision in November 2024 to call a four-year halt on moves towards joining the EU.

Arabuli, a member of the 1990s generation, recalls the tumultuous period following the civil war, largely attributed to Russian influence in the region. We don't want to go back there, he expresses vehemently.

Since the cessation of the EU accession process, accusations of a dismantling of democracy have echoed throughout Georgian society, with many likening the current political climate to Russian-style governance.

The protests, evolving into a war of attrition, have seen Tbilisi's main Rustaveli Avenue frequently blocked, with demonstrators facing aggressive police tactics and continuous arrests.

Despite diminishing numbers, protests remain a nightly occurrence: Freedom for regime prisoners, shouts protestors carrying banners demanding the release of political prisoners.

Governmental actions include imposing hefty fines for blocking traffic and enforcing laws leading to imprisonment for repeated offenders. Meanwhile, prominent opposition figures have been jailed, raising concerns over political repression under the Georgian Dream party, currently governing since 2012.

Public demonstrations persist as citizens demand accountability from a government they believe is pushing the country towards an uncertain future aligned with Russian interests, fueled by high-profile cases of jailed journalists and activists voicing resistance.

As Georgia's path to EU membership becomes increasingly nebulous, sentiments echo that the government is acting contrary to its citizens' European aspirations. Protests symbolize a commitment to an idea of democracy, continuity, and hope as Georgia navigates its complex geopolitical landscape.