President Salome Zourabichvili of Georgia has declared that she will not leave office when her term ends in December, citing the illegitimacy of the parliament that was elected fraudulently. This declaration comes amidst ongoing protests in the country over the government’s decision to suspend talks on EU accession.
Thousands of Georgians have taken to the streets for a third consecutive night to demonstrate against Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s announcement regarding the suspension of EU accession talks. The prime minister, who has been strengthening ties with Russia, accused Brussels of blackmail and suspended the talks for four years.
Zourabichvili, a critic of the governing Georgian Dream party and a pro-EU advocate, has stated that the parliament does not have the authority to elect her successor. She asserts that the October 26 election results, which saw Georgian Dream win with 54 percent of the vote, were fraudulent, rendering the parliament illegitimate.
The unrest in Georgia has led to clashes between protesters and police, with over 100 arrests reported. The US State Department has suspended its strategic partnership with Georgia in response to the government’s decision to halt EU accession talks, condemning the excessive force used against protesters.
Georgia’s bid to join the EU has been hindered by laws deemed restrictive of human rights, including those targeting “foreign agents” and LGBTQ rights. The country’s efforts to build closer relations with Russia have further complicated its path to EU membership, with concerns over Russian influence mounting.
As tensions continue to rise in Georgia, the future of the country’s relationship with the EU and Russia remains uncertain. The protests and political turmoil highlight the challenges facing Georgia as it navigates its path towards European integration.
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