From Sebastien Adams
For some, the recent elections in Georgia meant Trump versus Harris. For 2 million voters in the Caucasus, however, it meant a decision between East and West. At the crossroads of Europe and Asia, the nation of Georgia went to the polls in October 2024 to elect a new parliament. In power since 2012, the alleged Russian-leaning populist party Georgian Dream won favour once again, sparking protests from the many Georgians longing for EU membership.
They contest the legitimacy of the election result, declaring ballot-stuffing and intimidation at polling stations – claims shared by the European Union. Facing these allegations, Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobachidze has since postponed Georgia’s bid to join the EU until 2028. Convinced Russia has had its part to play, pro-Western Georgians in the capital Tbilisi, as well as in other major cities, are demonstrating for a rerun of the elections – even now in Dezemner, two months after the election.
Thousands of Georgians protesting on the streets
Taking to the streets is no new phenomenon for Georgians either, with similar uproar in May 2024 when a Russian-style “Foreign Agents” bill was passed by parliament, meaning NGOs receiving more than 20% of their funding from abroad must now register themselves as “agents of foreign influence”.
Modelled on a similar Russian law, there are fears that this bill will start to erode freedom of expression in the country. An anti-Western rhetoric has also generally been building amongst the Georgian Dream ranks, claiming a fight against what they call a “Global War Party” – an inconspicuous Western group they believe is pushing Georgia to conflict.
This shift towards Russia by Georgian Dream is a living nightmare for Europhiles across the former Soviet Union state of Georgia. As of March 2023, 89% of the population either “fully supported” or “somewhat supported” joining the EU – the protests, therefore, are to be expected.
But there are two sides to every story. In October, Georgian Dream won 54% of the vote, so clearly it has its supporters, leading to mixed sentiments on the ground.
Georgia is split into two
Touching down in Kutaisi Airport, the pattern of flags immediately catches the eye. European Union, Georgian, European Union, Georgian. It is, perhaps, the easiest explanation as to the current political situation – Georgia is split into two.
One of those sitting on the side of Georgian Dream is Giorgi, the spritely owner of a wine bar in the eastern city of Kutaisi, eager to share his views on the current political situation. From growing up in Greece to studying in Sweden, the 26-year-old has had his fair share of experiences across Europe, yet he opted for Georgian Dream in the recent elections, as for him they were the “only party with a plan”. He believes the protesters will only get so far because their message is neither clear, nor organised.
One message reverberating through Rustaveli Street in Tbilisi, however, is clear : “Free Georgia”. Thousands from the capital draped in Georgian and EU flags face lines of police, with the occasional explosion set off from either side. Those demonstrating to get back on the EU track are mostly youngsters, one of whom describes the situation as “unpredictable”. She tells me tales of journalists and protesters being lured into dark alleys by men in plain black clothes before being left in a heap, battered and bruised.
Such stories seem hard to believe as you walk around the sunny streets of Tbilisi, where, despite an eerie feel, life carries on as normal. But as we near the end of 2024, things will only start to heat up. It falls upon Prime Minister Kobachidze to select a new President, who is bound to have closer ties to his party, and subsequently the Kremlin.
Opposition parties have issued a joint statement condemning the illegitimacy of the government; for them, “Zourabichvili remains Georgia’s President”. She, herself, also insists she will not leave her post until a legitimate government has been elected. Turbulent times are on the horizon for Georgia, as this inevitable change of president will only put more fire in the bellies of those wanting to break free from Moscow.
“Georgia is a happy country, but without 20% of its territory”
As desperate as some may be to cut all ties with Russia, it would be easier said than done. Professor Jerzy Maćków, Eastern European Political Scientist at the University of Regensburg, states that although it may not seem “fair”, Georgia’s “economy is connected to Russia, so of course it will be influenced by them”.
Ever since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Kremlin has used economic levers as a bargaining chip to maintain power in its former Soviet states. With 10.3% of Georgia’s GDP coming from Russia in 2023, the mountainous Caucasian nation is no exception. Georgia’s two greatest imported Russian goods in the year 2023, for example, were essential commodities – fuel and groceries. This reliance on its northern neighbours proves it is not so simple to just forget Russia completely.
What is equally as difficult to forget for the Georgian people is the year 2008: The 16-day Russo-Georgian war culminated in the occupation of two formerly Georgian regions – South Ossetia and Abkhazia, both still held by Russian forces today. Maćków states: “Georgia is a happy country, but without 20% of its territory. This territory, they will not forget; they will still think about it”.
So, in October 2024 as the Russian invasion of Ukraine neared its 1000th day of conflict, some Georgians went to the polls to vote for their safety – for them this meant electing Georgian Dream. But what the protestors fear more than a loss of safety, is a loss of freedom.
Georgia seems destined for a change, whether it is a return to EU accession talks or a crackdown on dissent by an increasingly powerful Russian-leaning government. What is for sure, is that demonstrators will continue to turn out in their droves and fight for the future of their country. A country currently on a knife edge between East and West.
About the author
Sebastien (21) studies Applied Foreign Languages at the University of Strasbourg, with a particular interest in Eastern European languages and cultures. He chose to join the project as he aspires to be a journalist and he loved the opportunity to spend a few days in Tbilisi amongst the protests while writing the article.
