Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze accused the opposition of attempting to overthrow his government on Sunday, following his ruling Georgian Dream party’s claimed landslide win in local elections boycotted by major rivals.

Tens of thousands had protested in Tbilisi against the government’s policies and what they see as a shift toward Moscow, with rallies ongoing since Georgia halted EU membership talks last November.

The protests have faced a multipronged crackdown, including mass arrests, police violence, and laws restricting demonstrators, NGOs, and independent media—some modeled on Russian legislation.

Riot police used water cannons and tear gas Saturday to disperse protesters who tried to breach the presidential palace gates, the Associated Press has reported.

Kobakhidze characterized the opposition movement as foreign-backed attempts to destabilize the country, framing his planned crackdown as necessary to protect the government.