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00:00For a second night straight, police in Georgia's capital turned to water cannons and tear gas
00:05in a futile attempt to disperse thousands of angry protesters blocking the streets around
00:10the country's parliament.
00:12Demonstrators are frustrated that the ruling Georgian Dream Party, which cemented its power
00:16last month in a heavily disputed election, has decided to suspend European Union accession.
00:22This government came to power promising to restore justice, saying the previous government
00:30was cruel.
00:31But in fact, this government, this Russian dream, appears to be the most unfair government
00:37ever in Georgia's history.
00:41The former Soviet Republic officially gained EU candidate status in December 2023, and
00:47the goal of accession is enshrined in its constitution.
00:51Protesters say 80 percent of Georgians back joining the bloc.
00:54In a televised address, pro-Western president Salome Zirobishvili called the protests the
01:01beginning of a resistance movement and vowed to support it.
01:06We are entirely by your side and we will remain united until Georgia achieves its goals to
01:11return to its European path, secure new elections and ensure that its future is protected once
01:17and for all.
01:21Zirobishvili is seeking to annul the election results through the country's constitutional
01:26court.
01:27Opposition lawmakers have boycotted the new parliament, refusing to take their seats.