Thousands of protesters in Tbilisi, the Georgian capital, clashed with the police late into last night during the fourth consecutive day of demonstrations over the recently elected government’s suspension of the country’s bid to join the E.U.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced that the government would stall the process of E.U. accession — a goal enshrined in Georgia’s Constitution — until 2028. He also said that the government would refuse all grants by the E.U., which are usually worth tens of millions of dollars annually.
More than 150 people had been arrested as of Saturday night, officials said, adding that several police officers and 42 of its employees had been hurt since the protests began.
Context: Georgia has been gripped by political crisis since the disputed victory of the Georgian Dream party in October’s parliamentary elections. Since being elected, the party has been pivoting Georgia more toward Russia and China. Georgia’s opposition, which says the election was rigged, seeks closer ties with the West.
