Georgian Dream has turned into a Georgian nightmare, as unprecedented, large-scale protests grip the country. They are the consequence of a deep political crisis and a growing authoritarian, Russian-leaning pivot by the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) Party. The brutal response to the protests, including deploying tear gas, water cannons and batons, has been condemned by both the EU and the US, the latter also suspending their Strategic Partnership with Georgia. The EU must take swift action to support the Georgian people while also signalling the costs of shifting to an authoritarian orbit for those responsible, including the use of sanctions.
Protests were sparked by GD's decision to suspend Georgia's EU accession process until 2028. It contradicts the promise to the Georgian people enshrined in their constitution, Article 78 – laying out, ”Integration into European and Euro-Atlantic structures - The constitutional bodies shall take all measures within the scope of their competencies to ensure the full integration of Georgia into the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization”. GD's actions are viewed as part of a broader shift by the government towards authoritarianism and closer ties with Russia. In addition to the country-wide protests, more than 200 officials from the foreign ministry signed a letter stating their opposition to the government's decision as it contradicts the constitution.
Tensions in Georgia have rocketed since GD claimed victory in the country's 26 October parliamentary elections. Opposition parties along with Georgia's President, Salome Zourabichvili, have contested the results - alleging election fraud. The European Parliament has declared the elections as neither free nor fair and called for a re-run within a year under international supervision. It has also called for sanctions on Georgia's Prime Minister and high-level officials.
In addition to turning away from the EU membership, which 80 percent of Georgians support, the government is on an increasingly authoritarian trajectory. This includes steps to hollow out media freedom and LGBTQ+ rights, as well as a string of Russian-style legislation, including the now notorious “ foreign agents' law ”. In parallel the Kremlin has unleashed a massive hybrid warfare campaign, with the country awash with Russian disinformation. In July 2024, the EU announced that Georgia's membership application would be frozen along with financial assistance. With this move, the EU was aiming to protect the credibility of the path to membership. It also tried to build leverage for domestic reform, thereby supporting the strong pro-EU camp among Georgian citizens.
The Georgian Dream government has betrayed the people, the EU must not. The EU should continue to call for new elections as this is the only route to renewed stability and clarity. Showing the Georgian people that they are not alone is crucial. However, it can do much more. In addition to making statements, the EU's new leadership, as well as members of the European Parliament, should go to Tbilisi and other Georgian cities. They should meet with protesters and President Zourabichvili. Such steps would be in line with those taken during the 2014 Maidan protests in Ukraine, which was the result of the then President, Victor Yanukovych, backtracking on his commitment to sign an Association Agreement and Deep and Comprehensive Trade Agreement (DCFTA) with the EU under pressure from Moscow. Furthermore, given Kallas’ and new EU Council President, Antonio Costa’s recent visit to Kyiv it is important to demonstrate the EU’s broader support for those facing oppression and Russian aggression, as is the case in Georgia. The EU should also impose sanctions on those politicians and officials who are responsible for electoral fraud, violence against protesters and human rights violations, including Bidzina Ivanishvili. The Georgian people must not be left alone. If the EU leaves a power vacuum, Russia will fill it in, and the EU cannot risk its geopolitical actorness and values against Russia yet again.
Amanda Paul is a Senior Policy Analyst and Deputy Head of the Europe in the World Programme at the EPC.
Iana Maisuradze is a Junior Policy Analyst in the Europe in the World Programme at the EPC.
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