Protests erupt as Georgia puts EU accession on hold

Protesters have clashed with police in Georgia's capital, Tbilisi, after the ruling Georgian Dream party said the government would suspend talks on EU accession until 2028.

- Pjotr Sauer

The interior ministry yesterday said 43 protesters had been arrested and three police officers were injured, two of whom were taken to hospital.

Police fired water cannon and deployed pepper spray and tear gas to disperse the crowd as masked demonstrators tried to smash their way into the parliament. Some threw fireworks at officers while shouting "Russians" and "slaves".

Thousands of pro-EU protesters blocked streets in the capital before the altercations began. The outgoing president, Salome Zourabichvili, confronted riot police, asking whether they served Georgia or Russia.

"Today marks a significant point, or rather, the conclusion of the constitutional coup that has been unfolding for several weeks," she told a news conference alongside opposition leaders.

"Today, this nonexistent and illegitimate government declared war on its own people," she added, calling herself Georgia's "sole legitimate representative".

The government announcement came hours after the European parliament adopted a non-binding resolution rejecting the results of Georgia's 26 October elections, alleging "significant irregularities".

The resolution called for new parliamentary elections within a year under international supervision, and for sanctions to be imposed on top officials from Georgian Dream (GD), including the prime minister, Irakli Kobakhidze.