Georgia set for pro-EU rallies, government in hot water
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Georgians are bracing for a second large protest, demanding that the government quit for failing to formally secure the country's bid for European Union membership.
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A pro-EU demonstration in Tbilisi (OC Media)
Georgians were bracing for a second large protest on Sunday, demanding that the government quit for failing to formally secure the country's bid for European Union membership.
Since late June, when EU leaders agreed to postpone the country's membership application awaiting major political reforms, the Black Sea nation has been gripped by widespread demonstrations.
Tens of thousands have gone to the streets in the country's largest rallies in decades, organized by the country's major pro-democracy organizations and supported by opposition parties.
Rally organizers posted on Facebook that "we demand that (the ruling party founder) oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili relinquish the executive power and transfer it, in a constitutional manner, to a government of national accord," ahead of the demonstration.
A new cabinet "will carry out the reforms required by the EU, which will automatically bring us the status of an EU membership candidate."
Despite having no formal political position, Georgia's richest man, Ivanishvili, is popularly regarded to be in charge.
Last month, the European Parliament voted a non-binding resolution calling for Ivanishvili to face personal sanctions for his "destructive role" in Georgia's political and economic life.
He claims to have retired from politics.
Georgia applied for EU membership along with Ukraine and Moldova after the war in Ukraine broke out.
The EU gave formal candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova but said outstanding issues need to be addressed by Tbilisi in order to gain candidacy.
Irakli Garibashvili, Prime Minister of Georgia, stated that his administration is "mobilized" to achieve EU standards on time so that candidacy could be achieved as soon as possible.
The postponement of Georgia's candidacy was an inevitable outcome when the European Commission, the EU's executive arm, stated on June 20 that Tbilisi must execute a number of changes by the end of 2022 before being placed on the route to official membership.
Ending political polarization, enhancing press and judiciary freedom, electoral reforms, and "de-oligarchisation" are among the EU's prerequisites for giving Georgia candidate status.
The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, stated on June 23 that "they (Georgians) have a clear path... When these criteria are met, the candidate status will be granted automatically."
The ruling Georgian Dream party's administration has received rising international criticism for alleged democratic slippages, severely eroding Tbilisi's ties with Brussels.
The party has defended its democratic record and accused the opposition of plotting "plans to overthrow the authorities by organizing anti-government rallies."
Membership in the EU and NATO is inscribed in Georgia's constitution and is supported by at least 80% of the people, according to several opinion surveys.
