For weeks now, Tbilisi, Georgia’s capital, remains engulfed in turmoil as protestors flood the streets, illuminating the night sky with fireworks and Molotov cocktails. Riot police respond to the demonstrations with violence by deploying water cannons, tear gas, and rubber bullets, resulting in numerous injuries in the escalating clashes.
After applying for European Union (EU) membership in March 2022, Georgia was granted candidacy in December 2023. However, Georgia’s accession process was halted because it was unable to make the necessary progress outlined by the EU. Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Georgia’s ruling party, Georgian Dream, began intensifying its attempts to derail the country’s Western trajectory. To join the EU, Georgia must achieve specific milestones before the accession discussion begins, but the government’s actions suggest a lack of commitment to these goals.
This disconnect between the government and public aspirations came to a head when Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze made the controversial move to postpone Georgia’s EU accession efforts. The decision not only defied the constitutional commitment to EU integration but also disregarded the will of 82% of Georgians who see EU membership as essential for economic prosperity and security against Russian influence. The protests sparked by this move reflect the growing frustration and disagreement towards the government’s alignment with pro-Russian policies. These changes highlight the precarious position of many former Soviet states, like Georgia, as they attempt to navigate away from Russia’s influence while striving for stronger connections with the West.
Although Georgia is officially a parliamentary democracy, recent events have raised concerns about the country’s shift toward authoritarianism. The Georgian Dream party, in power since 2012, faces accusations of undermining democracy and consolidating power. Many fear the country is straying from the pro-democracy ideals established during the Rose Revolution of 2003, which initially set Georgia on a pro-Western path.
Georgian Dream has enacted several policies to push the country further away from the EU. The Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence, which mirrored the Russian Foreign Agents Law that targeted human rights groups and nonprofits that received Western funding, was reinstituted. Additionally, it adopted the discriminatory Law of Georgia on Family Values and Protection of Minors—a bill that severely restricts LGBTQ+ rights and allows for bans on public displays of pride. European officials condemned these reforms, warning that such measures would endanger Georgia’s chances of joining the union.
Government officials have pushed back against criticisms of being anti-West or pro-Russia, expressing that the delay was a practical solution to keep Georgia safe from Russia. During the election, Georgian Dream candidates urged citizens to vote for the party’s pragmatic approach if they didn’t want their country to be pushed into a war with Russia. Furthermore, the party displayed billboards contrasting Ukraine’s destruction with Georgia’s shiny building, linking the devastation to opposition parties.
The 2024 protests have brought renewed attention to Georgia’s complex and strained relationship with Russia as a former Soviet republic. Since gaining independence in 1991, Georgia has faced relentless efforts by Russia to maintain influence through methods such as economic coercion, political interference, and military force. Since the Russo-Georgian War in 2008, the Georgian regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia have been occupied by Russian troops. Today, 20% of Georgia’s territory remains under Russian military occupation, a constant reminder of Russia’s dominance and lingering presence in the country.
These tensions are not unique to Georgia but reflect broader struggles faced by other former Soviet states seeking independence from Russia’s influence. Along with Moldova and Ukraine, Georgia is partially occupied by Russian troops, persistently exerting its influence to pull these former Soviet Republics back into its control. The unrest in Georgia over its relationship with Europe echoes the issues that ultimately pushed Ukraine into a war with Russia. Moldova, another former Soviet country, faces pressure from Russia through political interference and energy disputes, highlighting the enduring challenges of resisting Russian influence while pursuing Euro-Atlantic integration.
As demonstrations continue, the outcome of this movement will likely define Georgia’s trajectory in the coming years. Whether the government listens to the citizens’ voices and pursues EU accession or implements more pro-Russian policies will have significant implications for the country.