On October 5, 2025, during the national municipal elections in Georgia, large-scale clashes broke out in the capital Tbilisi. Demonstrators clashed fiercely with police, causing the situation to get out of control for a time.
Protests escalated into violence. Opposition supporters demonstrated on election day, with some attempting to force their way into the presidential palace. In response, Georgian riot police deployed water cannons, pepper spray, and other equipment to disperse the crowd. Reports indicate that protesters at one point managed to break through barriers and enter the grounds of the presidential residence.
The root cause of the unrest is the ruling Georgian Dream party’s decision to suspend EU accession negotiations after its election victory last year. The opposition, accusing the party of pro-Russian sentiment and authoritarian tendencies, has been staging protests for nearly a year. This municipal election was also boycotted by several major opposition groups.
