Part 4/6:
The political context of the unrest stems from the ruling party, Georgian Dream, claiming victory in the parliamentary elections on October 26. However, the elections were marred by allegations of fraud, which spurred tens of thousands to take to the streets in protest. The critique of the government's legitimacy intensified when Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili made the shock announcement on November 28 that Georgia would suspend its EU candidate process. This decision was seen as a direct step away from European integration, aligning the country closer to Russian influence.