Mass protests against the government's decision to postpone negotiations on the country's accession to the European Union continue in the Georgian capital for the second day in a row. Demonstrators are once again gathering outside the parliament building, dissatisfied with the statement by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, who the day before called European integration a "formal procedure" and accused protesters of violence. 

The protests ended with a violent dispersal the day before. According to local media, more than 40 people were detained, while 32 police officers and about 20 journalists were injured. Some media representatives were reportedly attacked by police officers, which caused a wave of indignation among human rights activists and the journalistic community. 

The situation is aggravated by statements by the Prime Minister, who called the protesters “violent groups” and stressed that the postponement of EU accession talks was a necessary measure. This statement has drawn criticism from both civil society and pro-European political forces. 

More than 100 employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spoke out in support of Georgia's European course. They expressed disagreement with the government's policy and called for the country to continue moving towards European integration. 

The pro-European opposition selectively supported the protests. Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili attended the rally the day before and attempted to engage in dialogue with police representatives, which caused a wide resonance in society.