Government unrest is a common theme in the world right now with the failed coup in South Korea and France’s protests against the national rally, but the protests in Georgia aren’t getting talked about, and I think I know why: if you were to ask most people where Georgia is on the map, they would not be able to tell you, and they would probably think of the state before the country.  But what is happening in Georgia is important; the European Parliament rejected the Georgian parliamentary elections, and Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze called what they were doing blackmail and suspended talks of joining the EU.  

The response of Georgian citizens has been worldwide protests, and as of writing this on December 12th, it is in its thirteenth day of protests, with there being a violent crackdown issued by their government sending many of the protest leaders to jail.  

Lastly, I want to talk about why it is so important to the citizens of Georgia that they get into the EU. The Georgian government has recently started following more pro-Russian law, and many Georgians feel like Russia might increase its hold on Georgia if they don’t get added to the EU. Russia will take over and grab more territory (they already occupy 20 percent).  

Hundreds of open letters have been signed by Georgian diplomats calling what is happening unlawful, and we can only hope that will give these protests the extra boost to overturn the government’s decision.