The EU will consider new measures against Georgian government representatives at a meeting of European Union foreign ministers on December 16.
Anti-government protests continue in Georgia. In the second week of protests, the protesters were joined by people working in the public sector. Authorities may shut down one of the largest opposition television channels. And the EU is discussing sanctions against Georgian leaders.
Officials protest
“We are people engaged in public service, and the purpose of our protest is to convey to the public, including those who represent our employers today, our voice that we remain loyal to the Constitution and society, we remain committed on the European course, “said the employee at Tbilisi City Hall Giga Sopromadze. According to him, there are two reasons for the meeting: a freeze until the end of 2028 of the movement in the EU and a reaction to the methods of intimidation.
The previous day, 87 deputies of the parliament, whose legitimacy is not recognized by the president and the opposition, supported the bill “On Amendments to the Civil Service Law.”
The main objective of the changes is to simplify the reorganization process so that a civil servant who is dismissed for any reason, including political, will not be able to return to the civil service system, or at least will face great difficulties in doing so.
Closing the channel
Employees of one of the largest opposition television channels in Georgia, Mtavari Arkhi, issued an emergency statement regarding the possible closure.
According to General Director Georgiy Gabunia, one of the founders of the channel, Zaza Okruashvili, decided to close it. Gabunia believes that in this way Okruashvili is doing exactly what the pro-Russian oligarch Bidzini Ivanishvili, who is the de facto leader of the ruling Georgian Dream party, really needs today.
According to Gabunia, due to the decision of Zaza Okuashvili and the actions of its director Goga Kurdadze, Mtavari Arkhi is left without financial resources, and the concluded contracts are gradually being broken, which will ultimately make channel work is impossible.
Disputes over penalties
The EU will consider new measures against representatives of the Georgian government at a meeting of foreign ministers of EU countries on December 16. The statement emphasizes that the actions of the ruling Georgian Dream party led to the virtual which halted the EU accession process.
“The continued democratic backsliding and repressive measures recently taken by the Georgian authorities have consequences for our bilateral relations. The EU will consider further measures at the upcoming Foreign Affairs Council on December 16,” said the statement.
The EU condemned the repressive actions against protesters, media representatives and opposition leaders in Georgia and called for the immediate release of all those detained.
The statement states that all allegations of torture and ill-treatment must be fairly investigated.
Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.