Georgia, a former Soviet republic that has been aspiring to join the European Union and NATO, is facing a political crisis over its relations with Russia. The ruling Georgian Dream party has been accused of following Putin’s lead and undermining the country’s sovereignty and democracy.
Georgian Dream’s controversial moves
The Georgian Dream party, which came to power in 2012, has been pursuing a policy of dialogue and cooperation with Russia, despite the latter’s occupation of two Georgian regions, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, since the 2008 war. The party has also refused to impose sanctions on Russia or support Ukraine in its conflict with Moscow.
Some of the party’s recent actions have sparked outrage among the opposition and civil society, who see them as signs of creeping authoritarianism and Russian influence. These include:
- Attempting to pass a foreign agent law in March 2023, which would have required NGOs and media outlets that receive funding from abroad to register and disclose their sources. The law was widely seen as a copy of Russia’s legislation that targets independent groups and critics. The bill was withdrawn after massive protests in Tbilisi.
- Blocking the entry of prominent Putin critics, such as Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny and former chess champion Garry Kasparov, who were invited by the opposition to attend a conference on democracy and security in Georgia in April 2023. The government claimed that their presence would pose a security risk and provoke Russia.
- Allowing Georgia to become a hub for sanctioned goods, such as oil and gas, that are smuggled from Iran and Turkey to Russia via the Georgian Military Highway. The government has denied any involvement in the illicit trade, but the US and the EU have expressed concerns over Georgia’s compliance with the sanctions regime.
- Detaining and allegedly poisoning former Georgian president and Ukrainian governor Mikheil Saakashvili, who returned to the country in a sour-cream container in 2021. Saakashvili, who led Georgia’s pro-Western reforms and war with Russia in 2008, is wanted on charges of abuse of power and embezzlement, which he denies. He is also a vocal critic of Georgian Dream and Putin.
Opposition and public demand change
The opposition and the public have been demanding a change in Georgia’s political direction and leadership. They accuse Georgian Dream of betraying the country’s national interests and democratic values, and of being a puppet of Russian oligarch and party founder Bidzina Ivanishvili, who is widely believed to be the real power behind the scenes.
The opposition has been calling for early parliamentary elections, the release of political prisoners, and the reform of the electoral system and the judiciary. They have also been staging rallies and boycotts to pressure the government to resign.
The public opinion polls show that the majority of Georgians support closer ties with the EU and NATO, and view Russia as a major threat. They also express dissatisfaction with the government’s performance and the state of the economy, which has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and the decline in tourism.
International community urges dialogue
The international community, especially the EU and the US, which are Georgia’s main partners and donors, have been urging dialogue and compromise between the government and the opposition. They have also been offering mediation and assistance to resolve the crisis and advance Georgia’s democratic reforms and integration with the West.
The EU and the US have praised Georgia’s achievements in building a market economy and a pluralistic society, and have reaffirmed their support for Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. They have also warned Georgia of the risks of losing its democratic credentials and its strategic orientation, and of falling under Russia’s influence.
The crisis in Georgia has implications for the stability and security of the region, as well as for the EU’s and the US’s interests and values. Georgia is seen as a key ally and a model of democracy and reform in the Eastern Partnership, a framework that aims to strengthen the relations between the EU and six former Soviet states. Georgia is also a partner in the NATO-led missions in Afghanistan and Iraq, and a transit country for energy and trade.
