Georgian protesters clash with police after suspended EU talks

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00:00For a second night straight, police in Georgia's capital turned to water cannons and tear gas

00:05in a futile attempt to disperse thousands of angry protesters blocking the streets around

00:10the country's parliament.

00:12Demonstrators are frustrated that the ruling Georgian Dream Party, which cemented its power

00:16last month in a heavily disputed election, has decided to suspend European Union accession.

00:22This government came to power promising to restore justice, saying the previous government

00:30was cruel.

00:31But in fact, this government, this Russian dream, appears to be the most unfair government

00:37ever in Georgia's history.

00:41The former Soviet Republic officially gained EU candidate status in December 2023, and

00:47the goal of accession is enshrined in its constitution.

00:51Protesters say 80 percent of Georgians back joining the bloc.

00:54In a televised address, pro-Western president Salome Zirobishvili called the protests the

01:01beginning of a resistance movement and vowed to support it.

01:06We are entirely by your side and we will remain united until Georgia achieves its goals to

01:11return to its European path, secure new elections and ensure that its future is protected once

01:17and for all.

01:21Zirobishvili is seeking to annul the election results through the country's constitutional

01:26court.

01:27Opposition lawmakers have boycotted the new parliament, refusing to take their seats.

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