Pro-EU Protests in Georgia Highlight Unity on Orthodox Christmas

Tbilisi (Eurotoday) – Thousands of pro-European protesters have gathered in front of the Parliament in Georgia to celebrate Orthodox Christmas.

Many demonstrators, holding Georgian and EU flags, came together to observe Orthodox Christmas at a church opposite the parliament facility in the centre of Tbilisi. Christmas Day is celebrated by most Georgian Orthodox Christians on January 7, according to the old Julian calendar. 

Protesters chimed “Georgia!” and repeated demands for the freedom of detained demonstrators and a new general election. Demonstrators set off from five various Orthodox churches in Tbilisi and assembled at the central church, where more protesters joined them.

How has the government’s EU stance sparked protests?

In Georgia, protests have been held for over a month now, largely led by the decision made by the ruling Georgian Dream party to suspend the European Union accession talks of the country until 2028. After holding a parliament election on October 26, 2024, which has already been described as controversial, the accusations of electoral fraud levelled by opposition parties and ordinary citizens led the party to stop its accession talks. 

The protests began on November 28, 2024, when citizens reacted to the feeling that the government had taken a more authoritarian path, which some say has better aligned with Moscow and undermined the democratic institutions in Georgia.

Also on the new year, the demonstrators, waving EU and Georgian flags, transformed the protest into a festive celebration, sharing food and drinks in a traditional Georgian feast known as “Supra.” This event coincided with festive divine services held in Orthodox churches across the country, highlighting the unity of the protesters in their demand for closer ties with Europe and opposition to the government’s pro-Russian stance. 

Tbilisi has seen protesters; they have assembled in other Georgian cities, all demanding accountability as well as reversion to European-friendly policies but protesting the government’s action against civil liberties and opposition voices. The situation has heightened with reports of police violence against protesters and high numbers of arrests, further giving rise to public fury and demands for immense political change.