Correspondent Iris de Graaf:
The protests illustrate that most Georgians want their governments to strengthen ties with Europe today rather than tomorrow. Georgians see their country as the democratic frontrunner of the three countries. Many Georgians identify as European or support democratic values. They feel that their government is not going along with their wishes for closer ties with Europe, while at the same time not being tough enough against Russia. For example, there was much discontent among the population that the government did not impose harsh sanctions on Russia as the West did after the start of the war in Ukraine.
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