Happy NewYear and best wishes for 2025 from a truely remarkable evening here in Tbilisi, Georgia where thousands of people gathered on Rustaveli tonight 2 celebrate the passing into a new year and new beginnings🍀🎈

Während im Parliament der Präsident der Regierungspartei vereidigt wird, versammeln sich Georgier zwischen Weihnachtsbuden vor dem Orbeliani Palast für Ihre Präsidentin Salome Surabischwili, die angekündigt, ihr Amt nicht vor Neuwahlen aufgeben zu wollen. #Georgien #Proteste

Tbilisi Mayor Kaladze had to postpone lightning the Christmas/New Years tree 2night due 2 what looked like sudden technical problems even though he claims it was due 2 aggressive protestors. That’s what happens when you declare & wage war on your own population….

While Tbs Mayor Kaladze is preparing 2 light the Christmas/New Years tree in front of Parliament 2night, Georgians are making clear what their wishes for Christmas/New Years really are….

Ski wear, helmets & googles have found another use when protesting at Parliament in freezing temp., facing tear gas riot police. Georgians playing soccer while new president, former soccer player, is selected inside for only qualification ruling Georg. Dream party cares - being a loyal team player.

A Syrian flag at the protests in Tbilisi, Georgia tonight as a message to the ruling Georgian Dream party that it should follow the same path as Bashar al-Assad to Moscow.

First came…..then…..

If confirmed, a highly problematic development. At the same time police is searching and arresting people for carrying protective equipment such as gas masks. #GeorgiaProtests

I think there is no plan or timeline, as long as it takes, indefinitely. People are very aware that it is now or never, if they give up now, repressions will become even worse and Georgia will turn into another Belarus or Russia

Probably, at least that has been the pattern. Many find it difficult to come or stay long during the week because of work, school and all. It’s also been getting colder.

So maybe there is more to the story than can be seen on Rustaveli by the foreign journalists in their flag jackets and helmets. Just saying…3/3 #GeorgianProtests

There are accounts of police preventing people from joining by arresting them beforehand, chasing people through adjacent neighborhoods, youngsters sheltering and hiding in strangers appartmts with lights off & even on rooftops in fear of getting assaulted. #GeorgianProtests 2/3

Last night at the Protests, it seemed less crowed 2 me, not just in front of Parliament, but also up Rustaveli. Rumors that police might use of life ammunition beforehand made some friends keep their kids at home. 1/3 #GeorgianProtests

They started clearing the area in front of Parliament at around 23.17. Now people are hanging out in front of the opera….#GeorgiaProtests

The fireworks of the demonstrators against the watercanons (at times mixed with pepperspray) of the police - it’s another night in front of Parliament. #GeorgiaProtests

Ivanishvili’s puppet is being dragged through the street tonight. #GeorgiaProtests

Ivanishivilisi’s puppet being dragged through the streets tonight. #GeorgiaProtests

Georgians trying to talk sense into their police officers while the front of parliament is being cleared of demonstrators #GeorgianProtests

People in Tbilisi are bracing themselves for a fight 2night after ruling GD party announced it would abort Georgia’s EU accession.

Sad day 4 democracy. After rigging elections,GD party convened parliament 2day violat. Georgian Constitution & democratic principles. When authoritarian regimes use democracy merely as decorum, wie fremde 🪶um sich zu schmücken, all democracies suffer. It’s time we do sth about it.