Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The newly elected High Representative of the European Union Kaja Kallas urged Georgian authorities to respect the will of the people, cautioning against consequences in ties with the EU.
Kaja Kallas as the new foreign policy chief of the European Union on his first day in office, criticised the use of force by the Georgian police against the pro-European protests in Tbilisi. According to Kallas, brutality against peaceful protesters is “unacceptable,” and the Georgian government must respect the wishes of their people.
She further added that Georgia’s measures would have “clear consequences” for connections with the EU, offering the member countries different possibilities for reaction, including the possibility of sanctions.
We stand with the Georgian people and their choice for a European future.
— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) December 1, 2024
We condemn the violence against protesters & regret signals from ruling party not to pursue Georgia's path to EU and democratic backsliding of the county.
This will have direct consequences from EU side.
Why are pro-EU protests erupting in Georgia?
Fierce clashes exploded outside Georgia’s parliament between police and demonstrators opposing the government’s decision to postpone European Union membership discussions amid a post-election crisis. Thousands of people assembled in Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi and witnessed dozens of protesters arrested.
Georgia has been rocked by unrest since the ruling Georgian Dream party declared success in an October 26 parliamentary election that the pro-European opposition expressed was fraudulent. Masked police in riot gear shot rubber bullets, tear gas, and water cannons as they drove in to disperse protesters hurling fireworks, while flames were noticed coming from a window of the parliament building. More than 100 people have been apprehended over the last two days, when law enforcement agencies cracked down on protesters, shooting water cannon and tear gas at demonstrators.