As December unfolded, Georgia witnessed a surge in nationwide protests, culminating in a dramatic series of events over December 22–23. Protesters, fueled by dissatisfaction with alleged election fraud and human rights abuses, gathered en masse at Rustaveli Avenue and other significant locations. Their demands centered on the release of detainees, new elections, and adherence to democratic norms.
On December 23, U.S. Senator Jim Risch called for accountability regarding Georgia’s government actions against activists, journalists, and peaceful protesters. Simultaneously, Germany announced the suspension of a €237 million aid project, citing Georgia’s deviation from its EU aspirations and suppression of protests. German Ambassador Peter Fischer echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that human rights violations are a global concern, not merely internal affairs.
Protests extended beyond political grievances, with oncology patients, parents, and emigrant families joining the movement, underscoring the widespread discontent. Protesters carried banners highlighting the government’s perceived mismanagement of resources and healthcare, uniting diverse groups in their calls for change.
Amid escalating tensions, Tbilisi City Court issued verbal warnings to detained activists and public figures, including actor Giorgi Bakhutashvili, who recounted incidents of police brutality during his arrest. Similarly, the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association reported procedural violations regarding detainees’ personal belongings.
President Salome Zurabishvili, a focal point of the resistance, called on Bidzina Ivanishvili to negotiate a date for new elections. Her steadfast support for protesters contrasted sharply with threats from Georgian Dream (GD) leader Irakli Kobakhidze, who warned she could face jail if she did not vacate the presidential residence.
The protests’ international dimension was further highlighted by the EU’s Enlargement Commissioner, Marta Kos, who criticized the recent elections’ “serious flaws” in an OSCE/ODIHR report. Meanwhile, CoE PACE President Theodoros Rousopoulos condemned Kobakhidze’s threats against Zurabishvili as antithetical to democracy and rule of law.
As the marches converged on Rustaveli Avenue, incidents such as the confiscation of a stage intended for Zurabishvili’s address underscored the fraught environment. Protesters from various regions, including Kakheti and veterans’ groups, demonstrated solidarity by joining the rallies in Tbilisi.
These events reflect a deeply divided nation grappling with questions of governance, democracy, and its European future. The ongoing protests signify not only public dissent but also a pivotal moment in Georgia’s political trajectory, with both domestic and international stakeholders closely watching the developments