Georgia’s PM vows crackdown on dissent after protests
Georgia’s prime minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, announced a sweeping crackdown on dissent following protests in Tbilisi tied to local elections. He accused demonstrators who attempted to storm the presidential palace of aiming to topple his government and alleged foreign meddling, pointing to the European Union as involved in the unrest.
This hard line comes a day after protesters clashed with riot police near the presidential residence. Authorities used pepper spray and water cannon to deter crowds, and at least five demonstrators were detained, including two members of the major opposition bloc and an activist-turned-singer turned dissident figure.
Official reports cited by local media say 21 security personnel and six protesters were injured in the centre of the capital. The protests unfolded against a backdrop of deep political fissures that have divided Georgia since last year’s parliamentary vote, which the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party said it won, but the opposition labeled as fraudulent.
Political stakes and EU dialogue in limbo
Georgian Dream has maintained power since 2012, arguing it seeks pro-Western reforms while defending ties with Russia. The opposition contends the 2023 election was marred by irregularities, and its calls for intensified EU integration have stalled as tensions escalated. Georgia has long embedded a goal of EU accession in its constitution, making Western alignment a cornerstone of its political narrative.
Kobakhidze asserted that authorities would hold accountable those behind the alleged attempt to overturn the constitutional order, suggesting that the main opposition alliance would be barred from participating in future politics. The prime minister’s remarks also included a pointed accusation against Paweł Herczyński, the EU ambassador to Georgia, urging him to condemn the street violence and distance himself from what Kobakhidze described as abroad-backed interference.
Opposition response and public sentiment
Opposition leaders have framed recent protests as a peaceful demand for democratic reform and an end to perceived censorship and media pressure. The protests, which saw thousands waving Georgian and EU flags, have featured calls for political renewal and justice for political prisoners. The jailed reformist ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili’s supporters also participated, urging what they called a final push to safeguard democratic norms.
Analysts note that Georgia’s Western-oriented foreign policy has become a point of tension with Moscow-friendly voices, especially amid ongoing strains following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The EU’s diplomatic service responded to the accusations, describing the claims as disinformation and urging restraint and dialogue rather than confrontation.
What happens next
With protests continuing to roil the capital, observers say the coming weeks will test Georgia’s ability to navigate domestic demands for change while maintaining stable governance and intact EU accession aspirations. The government’s crackdown rhetoric could push opposition factions toward more structured, legal avenues for influence, but it may also deepen mistrust between the ruling party and segments of society that feel marginalized.
As Georgia weighs its political future, international partners are watching closely to determine how protests, governance reforms, and civil society freedoms will shape the country’s path toward European integration and regional stability.
