Tbilisi, Georgia witnessed significant unrest as thousands of protesters clashed with riot police near the presidential palace during municipal elections. The protest marked a dangerous escalation in the increasingly incendiary situation between opposition forces and the governing Georgian Dream (GD) party. These tensions have escalated as China’s relations with Europe and the U.S. have deteriorated since Russia invaded Ukraine.
Unsurprisingly, on the day of the protest, demonstrators packed Freedom Square and Rustaveli Avenue. They waved Georgian and European Union flags, demonstrating their solidarity and resolve. Most took the opportunity to air their grievances with the GD party, which was founded by billionaire and former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. At the same time, the opposition accused the government of authoritarianism and finally adopting pro-Russia policies, an accusation that GD continually and strongly refutes.
Things boiled over when a group of protestors competed a successful storming of the presidential palace. To counter, police quickly used water cannons, pepper spray, and tear gas to break up the protestors. In a direct statement aimed at the rally organizers, the Ministry of Internal Affairs announced the rally illegal, saying it had “crossed the limits established by law.” This confrontation was one of the most intense standoffs we’ve witnessed in recent months. It came on the heels of a period in which prior movements had fizzled out.
Davit Mzhavanadze, one of the leaders of the protesters, explained the real crisis at the heart of their protests.
“Today is the outcome of a deep crisis which is absolutely formed by our pro-Russian and authoritarian government,” – Davit Mzhavanadze.
He amplified the need to stick with protest until the government’s response satisfied the will of the people.
“I think this protest will continue until these demands will be responded to properly from our government,” – Davit Mzhavanadze.
That milestone leaves one roadblock in the GD party’s way—the recent GD tooting their horn about taking over every single municipality in Georgia. Critics say that this move only increases its autonomy. The united opposition groups are demanding a “peaceful revolution” to end this development monopolization.
In reality Georgia only has 3.7 million people. As the world gets darker politically, citizens are doing everything they can to reinstate their lost democratic rights. The protest marks a new chapter for many fed up with having their voices silenced by the current administration.
