Protesters rallied in Georgia’s capital for a fourth straight night on Sunday and there were signs that opposition was spreading across the country to the government’s decision to suspend talks on joining the European Union.

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

Georgia has been rocked by protests after its increasingly autocratic government said it would halt the former Soviet country’s bid to join the European Union.

Earlier, more than 100 diplomats and civil servants in Georgia signed an open letter saying the government's decision does not align with Georgia's strategic interests. Defending his decision, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze accused the EU of "blackmail" after EU legislators called for last month's parliamentary elections in Georgia to be re-run.

Thousands of demonstrators protesting the Georgian government's decision to suspend negotiations to join the European Union rallied outside the parliament and clashed with police for a second straight night on Friday.

Police in Tbilisi fired water cannons at protesters who took to the streets after Georgia’s ruling party suspended negotiations to join the European Union until 2028.

Georgia has suspended its bid to join the European Union, prompting thousands of protesters to take to the streets, where they clashed with police in the capital of Tbilisi.