Exactly one year ago, Georgia’s prime minister announced the suspension of the country’s European integration path a decision that triggered the largest and most sustained pro-European protest movement in the country’s modern history.

On November 28, 2024, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze declared that Georgia would halt efforts to open accession talks with the European Union until at least 2028 and would refuse EU budgetary grants during that period.

“We have decided not to place the opening of negotiations with the European Union on the agenda until the end of 2028. We also refuse any EU budgetary grants until 2028,” Kobakhidze said.

The statement, made shortly after contested parliamentary elections in October 2024, was widely viewed as unconstitutional and illegitimate. Mass protests erupted across the country that same evening in Tbilisi and nearly every major city and have continued uninterrupted for a full year.

Suppression and Resistance

Authorities initially attempted to suppress the protests through administrative fines, issuing penalties of up to 5,000 GEL for minor offenses such as crossing streets during demonstrations. When this failed to deter participation, the government tightened administrative and criminal legislation, introducing prison sentences for actions such as wearing face coverings at protests.

Despite sustained repression, the pro-European movement has shown remarkable endurance. One year later, protesters continue to reject accommodation with what they describe as the ruling party’s pro-Russian orientation.

November 28–29: Protests Erupt, Violence Begins

On the day of Kobakhidze’s announcement, the European Parliament adopted a resolution refusing to recognize Georgia’s parliamentary election results and calling for sanctions against Georgian Dream leaders. That same day, the ruling party approved its government without debate in parliament.

President Salome Zurabishvili called on citizens to resist, stating:
“Today marks the endpoint of the path that led from Europe toward Russia.”

That evening, riot police used water cannons against peaceful demonstrators in Tbilisi. Several people were injured, including journalists. Lawyer Saba Brachveli was struck in the eye by a rubber bullet.

Over the night of November 28–29, approximately 40 journalists were injured. Video footage showed police assaulting Formula TV journalist Guram Rogava, who sustained spinal and facial fractures while broadcasting live.

Public Sector Dissent and International Reaction

In the days that followed, dissent spread to public institutions.

  • 130 employees of the Ministry of Justice signed a protest letter.
  • 18 judges condemned the suspension of EU integration, citing Article 78 of Georgia’s Constitution.
  • Employees of the Constitutional Court also protested.

International reactions followed swiftly.

  • The U.S. State Department announced the suspension of the U.S.–Georgia Strategic Partnership.
  • The Helsinki Commission stated that “Georgians refuse to become a Russian colony.”
  • EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reaffirmed that the EU’s door remained open.

December: Escalation and Arrests

In early December, riot police expanded operations to Batumi. Protesters were beaten, detained, and sentenced to short-term imprisonment.

On December 4, prosecutors began a wave of arrests targeting activists, including 19-year-old student Zviad Tsetskhladze. Courts repeatedly relied on flawed or fabricated evidence, while judges declined to intervene. Media access to court proceedings was later restricted.

On December 14, the ruling party’s parliament elected a new president amid protests. Demonstrators symbolically brought diplomas to parliament, mocking the ruling party’s candidate’s lack of academic credentials.

Media Repression and Political Prisoners

On January 11–12, 2025, journalist and media manager Mzia Amaglobeli, founder of Batumelebi and Netgazeti, was detained during a protest in Batumi. She was later criminally charged for allegedly slapping a police official amid a police crackdown.

Her case became emblematic of the crackdown on independent media. Amaglobeli spent nearly 11 months in detention, conducted a 38-day hunger strike, and was later awarded the Sakharov Prize by the European Union while imprisoned.

New Laws, New Targets

Throughout 2025, Georgian Dream adopted a series of repressive laws, including a “Foreign Agents Registration Act,” widely described as a second Russian-style law. OSCE/ODIHR warned that the legislation posed a serious threat to civil society and human rights.

Opposition leaders were detained for refusing to appear before a parliamentary commission. When their release dates approached, prosecutors filed new charges. Human rights groups described the prosecutions as politically motivated.

Autumn 2025: Elections and Further Escalation

Local elections held in October 2025 were boycotted by much of the opposition. Voter turnout was historically low, with only 40.9% participation nationwide. Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze was re-elected with the support of roughly 20% of registered voters, according to official data.

Mass protests accompanied election day, leading to dozens of arrests and the prosecution of protest organizers, who face sentences of up to nine years.

November 2025: One Year On

On November 6, prosecutors filed sweeping new charges against eight opposition leaders, including former President Mikheil Saakashvili, accusing them of aiding hostile foreign activities and undermining constitutional order. Independent legal experts dismissed the charges as legally unfounded.

Despite arrests, repression, and new criminal penalties including prison sentences for repeated road blockages or wearing masks protests continue daily across Georgia.

Citizens gather every evening in cities nationwide. In Batumi, demonstrators assemble daily outside the Constitutional Court.

As Georgians prepare for the November 28, 2025 march, the movement’s slogan remains unchanged:

“The Fight to the End.”