Heavy police presence in Georgia after protesters attempt to storm presidential palace.
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| A demonstrator stands behind a burning barricade not far from a police line during an opposition rally in the city center of Tbilisi, Georgia, on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025 AP Photo |
Tens of thousands rallied in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi on Saturday to protest the policies of the ruling Georgian Dream party.
A heavy police presence persisted in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi on Sunday, one night after intense clashes between police and protesters.
Police used water cannons and pepper spray on Saturday to push back protesters who attempted to storm the presidential palace as the country held a municipal election boycotted by the main opposition blocs.
Tens of thousands rallied in Tbilisi to protests repressive policies by the ruling Georgian Dream party, which they say is trying to pull Georgia away from European Union membership.
Georgian Dream halted talks about joining the bloc last year over what politicians described as "blackmail and manipulation" from some of the bloc's politicians. The decision triggered waves of protests that have been met with mass arrests and police violence.
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze maintains that Georgia's path toward EU membership "remains steady and irreversible" and that the ball is in Brussels' court.
Saturday's protest was planned by activists, who dubbed it a "National Assembly" against what they called "political backsliding in Georgia."
Eight opposition parties refused to participate in the local elections scheduled Saturday, held one year after a key parliamentary election which Georgian Dream won.
The rally’s organizers, including veteran opera singer Paata Burchuladze, called on protesters to “take power back into the hands of the people.”
Some protesters tried to force entry into the presidential palace in central Tbilisi, smashing the gate before being driven away by riot police.
Georgian police on Saturday said the ongoing rally violated Georgian laws that regulate public assemblies and protest.
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