Georgia on the barricades

Less than a month after the controversial parliamentary elections in Georgia, the old and new head of government Irakli Kobakhidze surprisingly declared that the government led by the Georgian Dream party had decided not to endeavour to enter into EU accession negotiations until 2028 and not to accept any further EU payments. This was preceded by a strong resolution by the European Parliament, in which the parliamentary elections of 26 October were described as not free and fair and the Georgian Dream was held responsible for massive democratic setbacks in Georgia. Since then, there have been massive protests every night in numerous cities. The police responds with brutal violence, the demonstrators respond with fireworks. Hundreds of people have been arrested. The fronts have hardened.