The decision announced on 28 November last year by Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze to suspend negotiations with the European Union was “a politically criminal act, a direct insult to the will of Georgian society, and a blatant violation of Article 78 of the Constitution of Georgia”, according to Georgian non-governmental organizations.

In a joint statement, the NGOs summarized the events that have unfolded in the country since the start of the continuous pro-European protest on 28 November last year:

“Throughout this year, Georgian Dream has carried out unimaginable repressions against its own people, who are motivated only by love for their country:

  • Criminal investigations were launched against around 160 citizens;
  • Up to 300 protesters became victims of torture and inhuman treatment;
  • More than 600 people were detained administratively;
  • Over 1,000 citizens were fined on political grounds;
  • There were around 400 cases of journalists being arrested, beaten, or harassed;
  • Anti-democratic laws were adopted which effectively force civil society organizations to cease operating.”

According to the organizations, today Bidzina Ivanishvili’s government, on a daily basis:

  • Arrests leaders of political parties and plans to ban opposition parties;
  • Persecutes civil society and punishes solidarity and compassion;
  • Empties state institutions of professionals and conscientious public servants.

They argue that all this has placed Georgia in international isolation and severely damaged relations with the European Union and the United States.

“The government of Georgian Dream insults Western partners every day and spreads disinformation about their leaders. But in these harsh conditions, we remember Ilia Chavchavadze’s words: ‘Freedom of a person is nothing more than being fully bound against evil and having an open path toward good.’”

The NGOs also write:

“Exactly one year ago, Bidzina Ivanishvili’s government closed off Georgia’s path toward European development.
On 28 November 2024, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze publicly declared that opening membership negotiations with the EU was being removed from the agenda.

With this step, Ivanishvili’s government sacrificed the Georgian state and the Georgian people, left the country alone in the face of the Russian threat, and cut it off from the Western world we have been striving toward for centuries.

Russian political circles welcomed the decision of Georgian Dream, as it fully aligns with the interests of Putin’s Russia. But the Georgian people did not accept this. For a full year now, they have been tirelessly fighting to save our country’s European future. This is why the Georgian people have not broken.

The Georgian public does not want to live under Russian authoritarianism. Our nation continues to defend independence, dignity, and a European future.
We are fighting for Georgia to return to the European path of development: a place where everyone’s rights are protected, where no force can steal the people’s choice, where no one is imprisoned for political reasons, and where the European future is ensured through a real not illusory choice.”

One year ago, on 28 November 2024, Georgian Dream’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced:
“Today we decided not to raise the issue of opening negotiations with the EU until the end of 2028.”

Following this announcement, continuous protests began throughout Georgia and have continued ever since.
Today, 28 November 2025, marks 366 days of uninterrupted protest, with demonstrations taking place in Tbilisi and in cities across the country.