Georgia rings in New Year with protests against pro-Russian government

Tens of thousands of rallygoers in Georgia greeted the New Year with mass protests outside the parliament building in Tbilisi, Euronews reports. Demonstrators called for new parliamentary elections as Jan. 1 marked the 34th consecutive day of large-scale protests.

Georgia has been rocked by unprecedented unrest since Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced on Nov. 28 that negotiations for EU membership would be put on hold for four years, journalists report.

One demonstration was organized outside the Gldani prison, where dozens of people arrested during the protests are being held.

Festivities were also seen in combination with the protests that included a traditional Georgian feast, known as Supra. They shared food and drinks as a symbol of unity and solidarity.

Activists have vowed to continue their protests until the government agrees to their demands.

The political crisis in Georgia began after the October parliamentary elections, which opposition forces refused to recognize. 

In late December, Mikheil Kavelashvili was inaugurated as “president” of Georgia. However, his presidency is not recognized by the current head of state, Salome Zourabichvili, the opposition, or many international partners, reports European Pravda.

Western nations have condemned the actions of the Georgian government and called for dialogue with both the opposition and civil society.

The Ukrainian World Congress expressed deep concern over the rapid erosion of democracy and the rule of law in Georgia under the leadership of the Georgian Dream party. This authoritarian shift threatens to undo decades of progress toward democracy and European integration, undermining the sacrifices the Georgian people made in their fight for freedom and sovereignty.