In Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, protests have largely dispersed for the first time in a week without police intervention, a significant shift from previous nights. Several thousand demonstrators had gathered on Rustaveli Avenue, blocking traffic near the Georgian Parliament overnight. The police, who had previously used water cannons and blocked surrounding streets, refrained from intervening during this rally, marking a rare moment of calm in ongoing unrest.
Though the police have since withdrawn water cannons from Freedom Square and some traffic has resumed, the atmosphere remains tense. A small group of youth, mostly students, continues to gather outside the Parliament building, lighting fires for warmth and singing songs. The area remains littered with debris, and broken shop windows serve as a reminder of the clashes that took place over the past week.
The protests, which began on November 28, were sparked by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s announcement to delay discussions on Georgia’s potential EU membership until 2028. The demonstrators, frustrated with this decision, have clashed with riot police, using firecrackers, stones, and Molotov cocktails, while the authorities have responded with water cannons and special equipment. Despite the less violent nature of Wednesday night’s rally, the protests highlight ongoing tensions over Georgia’s European aspirations.
