Protests erupt in Tbilisi as police clash with demonstrators

In Georgia, widespread protests erupted following the ruling Georgian Dream party's decision to suspend negotiations to join the European Union. These protests began on November 28, 2024, and turned increasingly violent as security forces employed tear gas and water cannons against demonstrators. Many protesters, angered by what they viewed as a rigged election, resorted to throwing fireworks and stones at the police. Over 300 protesters were reportedly detained amidst these clashes, prompting significant public outcry. On December 4, Nika Gvaramia, the leader of the Coalition for Change opposition party, was arrested in a police raid on his party's office, indicative of the government's aggressive stance towards dissent. This crackdown raises serious concerns regarding democratic freedoms in Georgia and its ongoing EU aspirations. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, with various Western governments condemning the violence and urging the Georgian government to respect the rights of its citizens to assemble and express their dissent peacefully. Such a scenario mirrors previous violent upheavals in Eastern Europe, reminiscent of Ukraine's EuroMaidan Revolution, where public unrest led to significant political changes. The absence of a legitimate parliamentary process further fuels opposition discontent, as the ruling party's legitimacy is being challenged both domestically and internationally.