Protests in Georgia against the suspension of EU membership negotiations continue

Massive protests are underway in Georgia against the government’s decision to suspend talks on joining the European Union. The Georgian Prime Minister accused the pro-EU opposition of plotting a revolution.

Many thousands of demonstrators gathered outside the parliament building and elsewhere in the Georgian capital Tbilisi on Saturday to protest against the government for calling off EU accession talks.

The protests have been going on for three consecutive days and the Interior Ministry said it has detained more than 100 people.

Police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse them, causing injuries.

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, who has taken a conciliatory stance towards Russia, said on Saturday that there will be no Maidan revolution in Georgia, citing Ukraine’s protest that led to the collapse of the pro-Russian government in 2014.

Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili, who supports EU membership, stressed that electoral violations took place in October’s parliamentary elections, in which the pro-Russian ruling party won a majority of seats.

Georgia will hold presidential elections on December 14. It will be the first indirect vote in which members of parliament cast their votes instead of a popular vote.

Zourabichvili said an illegitimate parliament cannot elect a new president, and that she will remain in the position after her term ends in the middle of this month.