Protesters Block Main Access To Georgia’s Largest Commercial Hub, Black Sea Port Of Poti

Protests have erupted across Georgia after the government suspended talks about joining the European Union for four years.

The decision, announced last Thursday, has sparked widespread anger, with thousands coming to the streets in cities and towns nationwide.

In the capital, Tbilisi, protesters have gathered for four consecutive nights, waving Georgian and EU flags on Rustaveli Avenue. Tensions reached a new level on Sunday when protesters blocked the main access road to the Black Sea port of Poti, Georgia’s largest commercial hub, which handles 80% of the country’s container traffic.

The ruling Georgian Dream party claims the suspension is necessary to protect the country’s sovereignty. However, critics accuse the government of steering Georgia away from Europe and back toward Russia.

The unrest has been fueled by anger over what many see as an increasingly authoritarian approach by the government.

In some towns, protests turned aggressive. In Khashuri, demonstrators threw eggs at Georgian Dream offices and tore down party flags. Meanwhile, police used tear gas and water cannons against protesters in Tbilisi, leading to at least 150 arrests.

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze defended the police response, saying they acted responsibly despite facing what he called “systematic violence” from protesters.

He also dismissed international criticism, including the U.S. decision to suspend its strategic partnership with Georgia, calling it a temporary issue.

President Salome Zourabichvili, a vocal supporter of EU membership, has refused to step down at the end of her term, calling the recent parliamentary elections illegitimate. She demanded new elections, while Kobakhidze insisted she must leave office as planned on December 29.

International reaction has been swift. The EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, voiced support for the protesters, condemning the violence against them. Western countries, including France, the UK, and Ukraine, have also raised concerns about Georgia’s direction.

Inside Georgia, opposition to the government’s move is growing. Hundreds of civil servants and over 200 diplomats have resigned or spoken out, accusing the government of violating the constitution and risking international isolation.

Russia, which fought a war with Georgia in 2008, has been closely monitoring the situation. Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev claimed the protests were part of a Western-backed revolution, warning that Georgia was heading toward a dangerous path.

References: CNN, Aljazeera