The Georgian government is burying the European dream of its population. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced on Thursday, November 28, that Georgia was postponing negotiations on its application for membership in the European Union (EU) until the end of 2028. He presented it as a retaliatory measure against the adoption, a few hours earlier, of a non-binding resolution of the European Parliament, in which deputies rejected the results of the legislative elections of October 26, judged “neither free nor fair” and contaminated with“significant irregularities”.
The vote, seen as an election between the EU and Russia, was officially won by the ruling Georgian Dream party with almost 54% of the vote, but the opposition and the president, Salome Zourabichvili, denounce elections. “volleys” and refuse to acknowledge the results. The European resolution demands that a new vote be organized within a year under international supervision and that sanctions be adopted against senior officials, including Kobakhidze, which the new Georgian parliament also confirmed in office on Thursday.
The Prime Minister accused the EU Parliament and “certain European politicians” of “blackmail”. “We have decided not to put the question of EU membership on the agenda before the end of 2028”declared, specifying that he rejects “any EU budget subsidy” until then. Kobakhidze, however, promised to continue implementing the reforms demanded by Brussels and assured that “By 2028, Georgia will be better prepared than any other candidate country to start accession negotiations with Brussels and become a Member State in 2030”.
Considered a betrayal, the announcement of the suspension of debates on European integration has caused shock in this former Soviet republic of the Caucasus, where 80% of the population declares themselves pro-European. Spontaneous demonstrations broke out in several large cities that the police attempted to disperse with water cannons and tear gas. Clashes broke out and barricades were erected. In Kutaisi, in the west of the country, police detained several people.
In Tbilisi, President Salome Zourabichvili, whose role is essentially honorary, mingled with the crowd in support and addressed the police: “Are you serving Russia or Georgia?” Who did you swear to? » Previously, he reported a “coup d’état” aimed at diverting the country from Europe towards Russia, asked the population to ” resist “ and organized a “emergency meeting” with foreign diplomats.
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