Georgia’s pro-EU President, Salome Zourabichvili, urged citizens to resist the government’s decision.
“This country is returning to Russia, which we barely got rid of,” Zourabichvili said in a televized briefing.
She later joined the protesters outside the parliament, declaring, “a resistance has begun, and it will not end until new elections are called.”
Addressing riot police, she asked rhetorically, “do you serve Russia or Georgia? To whom are you sworn?” while knocking on their shields.
The prime minister’s rejection of the EU bid followed a critical resolution from the European Parliament on Thursday. The resolution stated that Georgia’s recent parliamentary elections were not “free and fair” and called for a re-run under international supervision.
Earlier in October, Brussels announced Georgia’s accession path had halted because country “has gone backwards.”
