Georgia’s political landscape is in turmoil as Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze accused the opposition of attempting to overthrow his government, following a landslide victory by his ruling Georgian Dream party in local elections. The elections, held on Saturday, were boycotted by the two main opposition blocs, who dismissed the process as illegitimate. Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of Tbilisi, decrying the government’s repressive policies and its perceived alignment with Moscow. The protests, which have persisted since Georgian Dream halted EU accession talks last November, were met with a heavy-handed response, including the use of water cannons and tear gas by riot police. Kobakhidze, in a press briefing on Sunday, vowed to intensify the crackdown on dissent, labeling the opposition as ‘foreign agents’ and accusing EU officials of meddling in Georgian politics. The EU, however, condemned these allegations, emphasizing the importance of democratic values and urging the release of arbitrarily detained activists. The political unrest has raised concerns about Georgia’s democratic trajectory, with critics pointing to the government’s increasingly authoritarian tactics, including laws targeting demonstrators, NGOs, and independent media. The absence of major international election observers further underscored the contentious nature of the vote, as Georgian Dream’s dominance in the political arena continues to fuel widespread discontent.
Georgia’s prime minister says protesters want to topple his government and vows a further crackdown
