Tbilisi: Georgia is once again gripped by political turmoil as Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has accused protesters of attempting to overthrow the government and alleged interference from the European Union (EU) in the country’s internal affairs. His statement came after a series of anti-government demonstrations erupted in the capital, Tbilisi, following the recent local elections.
The latest wave of protests turned tense when thousands of demonstrators gathered outside the presidential palace, demanding political reforms and transparency in the recently concluded polls. Security forces responded with pepper spray and water cannons to disperse the crowd after a section of protesters reportedly tried to breach police barricades. Authorities confirmed the arrest of five people in connection with the unrest.
According to Prime Minister Kobakhidze, nearly 7,000 protesters participated in what he described as a coordinated attempt to “destabilize and overthrow the constitutional order.” He accused opposition figures and certain activist groups of planning to incite violence under the guise of peaceful protest. “This was not a simple political gathering but a calculated effort to topple a democratically elected government,” Kobakhidze stated.
In an unprecedented move, the Georgian leader publicly accused the EU Ambassador to Georgia, Paweł Herczyński, of showing sympathy toward the protesters and demanded that the envoy condemn the violence. Kobakhidze claimed that “individuals from abroad” had encouraged and even endorsed the demonstrations, thereby undermining Georgia’s sovereignty.
The European Union has not yet issued an official response to the Prime Minister’s latest comments. However, this is not the first time Georgia’s leadership has accused Brussels of interference. In July 2025, the EU’s diplomatic service had firmly rejected similar accusations, calling them “unfounded and misleading.” At that time, the EU emphasized that its engagement with Georgia aimed at supporting democratic values, not destabilizing its institutions.
The controversy comes on the heels of local elections that saw the ruling Georgian Dream party claiming victory across all municipalities. However, the polls were boycotted by the country’s two main opposition blocs, which alleged electoral irregularities and state bias. Critics have long accused Georgian Dream of drifting away from pro-European ideals and consolidating power through political intimidation and control of institutions.
Since late 2024, Georgia has witnessed a growing wave of anti-government demonstrations, many of which have turned confrontational. Protesters argue that the government is stifling dissent, curbing media freedom, and adopting policies increasingly aligned with Moscow’s influence, contrary to the country’s once firm Western orientation.
Georgia, once celebrated for its post-Soviet democratic progress and European aspirations, now faces a crossroads. The deepening rift between the government and its critics reflects a larger struggle over the nation’s geopolitical direction — whether to pursue integration with the European Union or maintain a cautious balance amid regional tensions, particularly against the backdrop of the ongoing Russia–Ukraine conflict.
As the standoff continues, Georgia’s fragile democracy stands under scrutiny. The latest accusations against the EU not only risk straining Tbilisi’s ties with Brussels but could also further isolate the country from its Western allies at a time when stability and transparency are most needed.