While parliament remains under Georgian Dream’s control, President Salome Zourabichvili, whose role is largely ceremonial, has condemned the government’s heavy-handed tactics.
She highlighted reports of injuries among detained protesters, many of whom sustained head and facial wounds.
Demands for Democracy and EU Membership
Protestors are demanding greater democratic reforms and expressing opposition to Russian influence.
The government’s decision to freeze European Union (EU) accession talks until 2028 and pursue a “reset” with Moscow has further fueled public anger.
Opinion polls consistently show that most Georgians support EU membership.
Many protestors carried Georgian, EU, and Ukrainian flags during the demonstrations, chanting slogans like “Russian slaves” to express disdain for the government’s pro-Moscow stance.
Demonstrations have also erupted in other cities, including Batumi, Gori, Poti, and Kutaisi.
In some locations, the ruling party’s headquarters were attacked.
Police have used water cannons and other crowd-control measures to disperse protestors, intensifying tensions across the nation.
