Georgia in Turmoil: Protests Continue for 21 Days
Georgians are protesting on the streets of Tbilisi for 21 consecutive days. The protests began after the government, Georgian Dream, announced that it was suspending talks on joining the European Union. This decision came a month after the government was accused of stealing an election.
Protesters are facing police violence and cold weather. Despite this, they continue to defy the authorities. The ruling party has used its majority to elect a new president who is not supportive of Western values.
Marika Mikiashvili, a Georgian activist and academic, explains why the protests are so important. She says that the government’s actions are a threat not just to Georgia but also to democracy around the world.
What Triggered the Protests?
The main reason for the protests is the government’s decision to halt EU integration talks. Georgians were already upset about the election being stolen and now feel that their voices don’t matter. The majority of the population, 85%, supports European integration. By halting these talks, the government has shown that it doesn’t care about what the people want.
What Happened Before the Protests?
A month ago, there were parliamentary elections in Georgia. Many thought this would be a chance for change and that the opposition would win. However, the government used advanced methods to rig the election and came out on top. This led to widespread anger among the population. The recent decision to halt EU integration talks has added to this anger.
Marika Mikiashvili says that the government’s actions are a threat to democracy worldwide. She believes that if Georgia falls, it could be a sign of things to come in other countries.
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