The Georgian government has come to the conclusion that the status quo suits it. Georgia already has privileged economic access to the EU, including visa-free travel. Trying harder to actually join the Union could cost it dearly. For one, conducting the reforms required by the EU would make it more difficult though not impossible to manipulate elections and pass repressive legislation, such as the foreign agents law inspired by Russian legislation.
On November 28, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced he was putting on hold accession negotiations with the European Union for four years, sparking public outrage. Flying the star-studded EU flag, protesters have been pushing against the governing Georgian Dream's (GD) party, defying water cannon, tear gas and police brutality.
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