**Georgia Faces Unrest as Government Suspends EU Accession Talks**

**Tensions rise in Georgia as citizens express outrage over the government's decision to halt European Union membership negotiations, leading to clashes with police in the capital.**

Thousands of Georgians gathered in Tbilisi early Friday, protesting outside the Parliament building after the government announced it would suspend its European Union accession talks for four years. The announcement from Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Thursday marked a significant pivot in Georgia's foreign policy, as it moves away from the West in favor of closer ties with Russia and China.

The protests erupted shortly after the government declared it would also decline EU grants, despite having received over $500 million since 2019. Demonstrators filled the streets, chanting slogans like “slaves” and “Russians,” while calling for accountability from their leaders. As tensions escalated, riot police deployed water cannons and tear gas to disperse the crowds, resulting in 43 arrests and injuries among both protesters and law enforcement officials.

The political crisis in Georgia stems from perceived election irregularities that allowed the Georgian Dream party to maintain power in the October parliamentary elections. As the largest country in the Caucasus region, Georgia's struggle for a clear geopolitical direction has become increasingly pronounced, with many citizens favoring EU alignment over ties with its larger neighbors. Protests are anticipated to continue, reflecting the growing discontent among the populace regarding the government's recent decisions and its impact on the nation's future.