**New Year, Same Protests: Tens of Thousands Demand Change in Georgia**
The New Year’s holidays are over and protests against the government in Georgia continue. Despite a usually quiet holiday week, tens of thousands of people gathered on Rustaveli Avenue to celebrate Christmas and demand change.
They want:
* The release of people detained during recent protests
* New elections
Their demands haven’t changed since last year.
**Government Responds with Conspiracy Theories**
The ruling party, Georgian Dream, released a statement after Orthodox Christmas. They criticized financial sanctions and visa restrictions as “anti-Georgian steps” orchestrated by the “Global War Party” and “deep state”.
**US Secretary of State Speaks Out Against Democratic Backsliding**
Speaking at a joint press conference with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said that Georgia’s democratic backsliding is “deeply concerning”. This comes as the country‘s relations with Western countries deteriorate.
**Opposition Parties and OSCE PA President Take Action**
Three opposition parties – Coalition for Change, Unity-UNM, and Strong Georgia – sent a joint letter to the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. They requested that the credentials of the Georgian parliamentary delegation not be verified until further notice.
The President of the OSCE PA also canceled her visit to Georgia, citing concerns about its effectiveness in the current situation.
**Interior Ministry Reports on Foreign Nationals**
The Interior Ministry reported that 91 foreign nationals were expelled from the country during November and December. Some were involved in ongoing protests in Tbilisi.
**Anti-Occupation Activist Speaks Out Against Russian Occupation**
Davit Katsarava, leader of the anti-occupation movement “Strength is in Unity”, reported that two employees of a Gori military hospital have been sentenced to pre-trial detention for crossing an occupation line.