Georgians take to streets over suspension of EU accession talks

Protesters are rallying in Tbilisi and other cities across Georgia, expressing outrage over the government’s decision to postpone European Union accession talks until 2028. Crowds have gathered outside the Parliament on Rustaveli Avenue and near the ruling Georgian Dream party’s headquarters, demanding a reversal of the controversial move.

The protests erupted after Georgian Dream Chairman Irakli Kobakhidze announced that negotiations for EU membership would be suspended until the end of 2028. In a statement, Kobakhidze criticized the EU’s approach, claiming it was being used as a “political blackmail tool,” similar to what he described as the bloc’s earlier actions regarding Georgia’s candidate status.

The decision has drawn sharp criticism from domestic opposition leaders, civil society groups, and international figures, who accuse Georgian Dream of steering the country away from its constitutional commitment to EU membership. Many view this step as a retreat from democratic reforms and a pivot toward isolation, further straining Georgia’s relations with its Western partners.