The mass protests in Georgia, which have been ongoing since the end of November 2024, began after the government’s decision to suspend negotiations with the European Union (EU) until 2028. This decision by the Georgian Dream Party government, led by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, was triggered by the European Parliament’s rejection of the October 26, 2024 parliamentary election results and its call for new elections. Kobakhidze accused the EU and certain European leaders of “blackmail.” The decision provoked widespread public outrage, while, given that support for EU membership in Georgia has reached approximately 80%, the magnitude of the protests has been deemed striking.[1]
The protests have been joined not only by voters, but also by diplomats, education sector workers, and civil servants. The Georgian people have clearly expressed that they will not abandon their European goals, and this has been evaluated by experts as a “strong signal of the Georgians’ commitment to European values.”[2]The EU membership goal, constitutionally guaranteed since 2017, holds an important place in the country’s political agenda. While the government’s decision to suspend the negotiation process is perceived by the public as a betrayal, the prevalence and continuity of the protests reveal the fracture in Georgia’s political and social structure.
The Georgian Dream Party government’s decision to suspend EU negotiations has brought the party’s democratic backsliding tendencies back into focus. The government, which previously attempted to implement a regulation known as the “Foreign Agents Law,” targeted civil society organizations and independent media with this law.[3] The law, which referred to similar regulations in Russia, received significant backlash from the international community on the grounds that it would jeopardize freedom of expression. This situation was interpreted as the Georgian government weakening its ties to European values and distancing itself from democratic standards.
The party recently enacted Kremlin-style laws restricting freedom of expression and LGBTQ+ rights. In a speech in parliament, Kobakhidze stated that the elections were “a referendum between immoral propaganda and traditional values,” and that society chose traditional values.[4] The government’s policies of seizing the state structure, manipulating elections, and undermining pro-European goals’ demonstrate that democratic values are under threat.
Kobakhidze, stating that they did not abandon their goal of EU membership, said, “We will not raise the issue of opening negotiations with the EU until the end of 2028. We will also not accept any budget grants from the EU until the end of 2028.”[5] Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, describing the protests as “violent” and “organized by foreign forces,” defended the intervention of security forces against the protesters. While the police intervened in the protests with tear gas and water cannons, allegations of mistreatment of those detained drew the reactions of international human rights organizations.
The international community has not remained indifferent to the developments in Georgia. The EU has described the Georgian government’s suspension of the negotiation process as “democratic backsliding,” while the U.S. Department of State has regarded this decision as a step towards increasing the Kremlin’s influence. Reports of the elections in Georgia not being free and fair have intensified Western countries’ criticism of the Georgian Dream Party.
Experts emphasize that the international community should support democratic processes in Georgia, also stating that sanctions should bring to the agenda for those responsible for election manipulation and democratic backsliding. The deviation from Georgia’s EU integration goals poses a risk of weakening the country’s relations with the West.
Although Kremlin described the protests in Georgia as the country’s internal matter, it likened the events to the Maidan protests in Ukraine. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, claiming that Georgia is being “dragged into a dark abyss,” expressed the view that the protests were organized by Western powers.[6] Russia’s approach can be interpreted as an attempt to increase its influence over Georgia, raising concerns that the Georgian government may grow closer to Moscow. This situation could have significant consequences for Georgia’s geopolitical stance and the balance of power in the region.
While the long-term effects of the protests remain uncertain, the public’s resistance to deviating from the pro-European path is increasing pressure on the government. The opposition parties in Georgia have widely participated in the protests, calling for a fight against the government’s authoritarian tendencies. President Salome Zurabichvili, criticizing the government’s policies, described the suspension of the EU membership process as Georgia’s distancing from Europe.[7] Zurabichvili’s statements have further deepened the political crisis and polarization in Georgia.
Prime Minister Kobakhidze announced that the government would refuse financial aid from Brussels, describing the decision as a matter of national independence and pride. However, such rhetoric carries the risk of weakening Georgia’s integration process with the West and isolating the country internationally. The EU’s decisions to impose sanctions on Georgia and halt financial aid could jeopardize the country’s economic stability and further increasing public backlash. In particular, the commitment of the young population and educated segments to European values forms a strong resistance against the government’s policies.
It is of great importance for the international community to continue supporting democratic values and civil society in Georgia during this process. Western countries’ sanctions and diplomatic pressures on Georgia could lead the government to reconsider its policies. However, Moscow’s efforts to increase its influence over Georgia could also affect the geopolitical balances in the region. Historically, as a country that has embraced the goal of integration with the West, Georgia finds itself at a critical juncture due to the tensions it is experiencing during this process.
The mass protests in Georgia have once again highlighted the tensions the country is experiencing in its EU integration process. These protests, which show that the people have not abandoned their European goals, offer an important opportunity to understand the dynamics of Georgia’s political and social structure. The government’s tendency to distance itself from democratic values fuels public resentment, while the international community’s support for Georgia’s democratic processes is crucial for the country’s future.
As a result, the protests in Georgia have strongly demonstrated how committed the public is to the country’s integration process with the EU. The government’s decision to suspend negotiations not only heightened concerns about distancing from democratic values but also deepened the tension between the people and the government. Especially the support of the young and educated population for European values could play a critical role in determining the direction of this process.
The support of the international community for the democratic process in Georgia will be decisive in both internal and external dynamics. However, Russia’s efforts to increase its influence in the region could make Georgia’s geopolitical balance more complex.In this process, the public’s commitment to European goals is the most important guarantee for the protection of democratic values. Georgia continues to struggle to remain part of the European family with its historical and cultural ties.
[1] Sarah Shamim, “Georgia protests: What’s behind them and what’s next?”, Aljazeera, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/3/georgia-protests-whats-behind-them-and-whats-next, (Date Accessed: 04.12.2024).
[2] Thomas Mackintosh, Maia Davies & Rayhan Demytrie, “Police use water cannon as Georgia EU protests erupt for second night”, BBC, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c62jp68p315o, (Date Accessed: 04.12.2024).
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Lucy Davalou & Andrew Naughtie, “Georgian prime minister suspends EU membership talks until end of 2028”, Euronews, https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/11/28/georgian-prime-minister-suspends-eu-membership-talks-until-end-of-2028, (Date Accessed: 04.12.2024).
[6] Same Source.
[7] Sophiko Megrelidze, “Georgia suspends talks on joining the European Union and accuses the bloc of blackmail”, AP News, https://apnews.com/article/georgia-cabinet-election-russia-european-union-kobakhidze-1291827f76eac552a2918b4b584fa5a0, (Date Accessed: 04.12.2024).
