Georgia's PM Kobakhidze hits back as protests and resignations intensify

After days of demonstrations and public resignations, Georgia's prime minister rejects a call for new elections.

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As tens of thousands of Georgians headed back to the streets of several cities, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said they had fallen victim to opposition lies and he rejected calls for new elections.

He confirmed reports that Georgia's ambassador to the US, David Zalkaliani, had become the latest senior diplomat to stand down, explaining that he had come under considerable pressure.

But Kobakhidze sought to deny the reason for the protests, saying on Sunday that "we have not suspended anything, it's a lie".

Only three days before, his party Georgian Dream had accused the EU of using talks on joining the union as "blackmail" and said the government had decided not to put that issue on the agenda until the end of 2028.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp878819l8wo

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