The political climate in Georgia has become increasingly tense, marked by persistent domestic protests and mounting international criticism of the government’s trajectory. A series of events over the past few days underscores the growing concerns regarding democratic backsliding and the potential repercussions for Georgia’s relationship with the West.
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The most prominent development is the ongoing wave of protests in Tbilisi, now entering their 29th consecutive day. Demonstrators from diverse segments of Georgian society, including IT professionals, creative workers (animators, event managers, musicians, etc.), civil servants, and even schoolchildren, have taken to the streets demanding new elections and the release of individuals they believe have been unjustly detained. The protests are a direct response to perceived government overreach and concerns about the fairness of recent elections.
These domestic concerns are mirrored by growing international condemnation. US Representative Joe Wilson has been particularly vocal, criticizing Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s visit to Iran, where he attended the inauguration of the new Iranian President. Wilson expressed alarm at Kobakhidze’s interactions with leaders associated with the IRGC, Hezbollah, and Hamas, labeling them as terrorists and implying that such associations could damage US-Georgia relations. Wilson also directly criticized Bidzina Ivanishvili, accusing him of steering Georgia away from democracy and threatening to cut US aid if this trend continues. These strong statements from a US lawmaker highlight the deepening concern within the US political establishment regarding Georgia’s political direction.
This sentiment is echoed by European leaders. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda expressed deep concern to Georgian President Salome Zourabishvili about Georgia’s democratic trajectory, warning of a potential “Belarus-style backslide.” Nausėda explicitly supported the European Parliament’s resolution calling for democratic elections in Georgia and criticized the suspension of EU accession talks, arguing that this move undermines the will of the Georgian people and benefits Russia. This warning from a key EU member reinforces the European Union’s concerns about Georgia’s democratic commitments.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has also called for a formal debate on suspending Georgia’s EU accession process, citing the “increasingly authoritarian policies” of the ruling Georgian Dream party. Baerbock placed the onus on Georgian Dream’s leadership to resolve the political crisis and rebuild trust with the Georgian people, stating that their decisions will determine Georgia’s future relationship with the EU. This further illustrates the potential consequences of the current political climate for Georgia’s European aspirations.
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Further compounding the domestic tensions are allegations of police misconduct and violence against women. Civil society organizations have issued a joint statement condemning these abuses, citing specific instances of mistreatment, sexual harassment threats, and even torture. The naming of specific police officers allegedly involved in these cases adds further weight to these accusations and intensifies public pressure for accountability.
These events, ranging from domestic protests and international condemnation to allegations of police brutality and concerns about EU accession, are interconnected and create a picture of a nation facing a significant political crisis. The cause-and-effect relationships are evident: perceived democratic backsliding leads to domestic protests and international criticism, which in turn threatens Georgia’s prospects for closer ties with the West.