All news on the topic: Irakli Kobakhidze

Georgia’s prime minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, has announced a sweeping crackdown on dissent, accusing demonstrators who tried to storm the presidential palace of aiming to topple his government and blaming the European Union for interference in his country.

Facing deep democratic backsliding, Georgia heads into local elections with opposition parties sidelined, watchdogs forced out by the different restrictive laws, international monitors invited too late, and oversight left largely to groups aligned with the ruling party.

The U.S. has imposed sanctions over the controversial legislation, while Brussels warns it will sink the country’s efforts to join the EU.