Protest in Georgia after the postponement of receiving the candidacy for EU membership

Georgia / Photo EPA-EFE / ZURAB KURTSIKIDZE

Tens of thousands of people protested in Tbilisi last night against the policy of the Georgian authorities after the country failed to obtain the status of a candidate for membership in the European Union. Waving Georgian and European flags, protesters gathered around parliament. Several pro-European organizations and all opposition parties have called for demonstrations to increase pressure on the government, which they accuse of authoritarianism and deteriorating relations with Brussels.

"We, the people of Georgia, demand (Prime Minister) Irakli Garibashvili to resign and form a new government that will implement all the reforms required by the EU," said one of the protest organizers, adding that they were giving the government a deadline. one week to fulfill their request ..

Tbilisi has applied for EU membership along with Ukraine and Moldova, following the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24. However, EU leaders decided on Thursday to grant candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova, saying Georgia would also receive candidate status, but only when reforms were implemented.

Garibashvili has previously said his government was ready to meet EU requirements to gain candidate status as soon as possible.

European authorities have cited the cessation of political polarization, advances in media freedom and judicial and electoral reforms as priorities.

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