Charles Maines

Morning, Leila.

Well, it was another tense night in the capital of Tbilisi, but there seems to be a pattern emerging. Every evening, mostly peaceful protesters, now in the tens of thousands, gather outside the parliament. And every evening, we see heavy police presence disperse them using tear gas and water cannons.

Well, it was another tense night in the capital of Tbilisi, but there seems to be a pattern emerging. Every evening, mostly peaceful protesters, now in the tens of thousands, gather outside the parliament. And every evening, we see heavy police presence disperse them using tear gas and water cannons.

Well, it was another tense night in the capital of Tbilisi, but there seems to be a pattern emerging. Every evening, mostly peaceful protesters, now in the tens of thousands, gather outside the parliament. And every evening, we see heavy police presence disperse them using tear gas and water cannons.

And then things seem to devolve into more pitched battles between smaller groups of demonstrators who clearly came prepared. They're wearing gas masks, armed with pyrotechnics, in other words, fireworks that they shoot back at security forces. And there have been reports of injuries from both sides, including over 100 police. We don't have figures for the protesters, but there are clearly more.

And then things seem to devolve into more pitched battles between smaller groups of demonstrators who clearly came prepared. They're wearing gas masks, armed with pyrotechnics, in other words, fireworks that they shoot back at security forces. And there have been reports of injuries from both sides, including over 100 police. We don't have figures for the protesters, but there are clearly more.

And then things seem to devolve into more pitched battles between smaller groups of demonstrators who clearly came prepared. They're wearing gas masks, armed with pyrotechnics, in other words, fireworks that they shoot back at security forces. And there have been reports of injuries from both sides, including over 100 police. We don't have figures for the protesters, but there are clearly more.

And at least 220 people have been arrested so far, some amid some pretty aggressive policing.

And at least 220 people have been arrested so far, some amid some pretty aggressive policing.

And at least 220 people have been arrested so far, some amid some pretty aggressive policing.

Well, you know, you mentioned the decision to suspend talks with the European Union. The government indeed said it won't engage with the EU until 2028. As to why, the answer lies in recent parliamentary elections. An October vote in Georgia saw the ruling Georgian Dream Party claim victory with some 54% of all ballots. a result that was certified, by the way, by the Election Commission.

Well, you know, you mentioned the decision to suspend talks with the European Union. The government indeed said it won't engage with the EU until 2028. As to why, the answer lies in recent parliamentary elections. An October vote in Georgia saw the ruling Georgian Dream Party claim victory with some 54% of all ballots. a result that was certified, by the way, by the Election Commission.

Well, you know, you mentioned the decision to suspend talks with the European Union. The government indeed said it won't engage with the EU until 2028. As to why, the answer lies in recent parliamentary elections. An October vote in Georgia saw the ruling Georgian Dream Party claim victory with some 54% of all ballots. a result that was certified, by the way, by the Election Commission.

The opposition argues those results were rigged, and as of last week, the European Parliament agreed. They're calling now for a do-over. That's infuriated the Georgian Dream government, but of course also galvanized supporters of the opposition. People like Bochum Sikaladze, a sailor from the Georgian Navy I met at an earlier rally, he told me he'd always hoped the crowds would come.

The opposition argues those results were rigged, and as of last week, the European Parliament agreed. They're calling now for a do-over. That's infuriated the Georgian Dream government, but of course also galvanized supporters of the opposition. People like Bochum Sikaladze, a sailor from the Georgian Navy I met at an earlier rally, he told me he'd always hoped the crowds would come.

The opposition argues those results were rigged, and as of last week, the European Parliament agreed. They're calling now for a do-over. That's infuriated the Georgian Dream government, but of course also galvanized supporters of the opposition. People like Bochum Sikaladze, a sailor from the Georgian Navy I met at an earlier rally, he told me he'd always hoped the crowds would come.

Well, you know, it's important to point out that even before these protests, this election was seen by the opposition as a critical vote to get Georgia back on track with the EU and the West in general. Over the past year, Georgian Dream has legislation and positions that seem to echo Kremlin policies that have really been used to crack down on freedoms here in Russia.

Well, you know, it's important to point out that even before these protests, this election was seen by the opposition as a critical vote to get Georgia back on track with the EU and the West in general. Over the past year, Georgian Dream has legislation and positions that seem to echo Kremlin policies that have really been used to crack down on freedoms here in Russia.

Well, you know, it's important to point out that even before these protests, this election was seen by the opposition as a critical vote to get Georgia back on track with the EU and the West in general. Over the past year, Georgian Dream has legislation and positions that seem to echo Kremlin policies that have really been used to crack down on freedoms here in Russia.

Well, you know, clearly the opposition, and in particular the country's pro-EU president, Salome Zor-Rashidi, thinks so. Whether or not that's true, they've amped these claims in order to rally the West to their cause. And to a degree, it's working. The U.S. froze a strategic partnership agreement it had with Georgia.