Georgia is plunged deep in political turmoil as protests erupt across the nation, challenging the authority of the ruling Georgian Dream party and its newly elected president, Mikheil Kavelashvili. The protests began following controversial parliamentary elections and escalated after the government announced its intention to pause European Union accession efforts, stirring anger among many Georgians who overwhelmingly favor EU integration.
At the forefront of this political crisis is Salome Zourabichvili, the pro-Western president who has emerged as the primary figure of resistance against what many perceive as a shift toward authoritarianism under the Georgian Dream party. "This constitution has been trampled upon but has endured, just as Georgia endures. I can only continue to serve and remain faithful to it," Zourabichvili stated, reaffirming her role as the symbolic leader of the opposition.
The turning point for Zourabichvili was not only the outcome of the October elections — which drew allegations of electoral fraud — but also the Georgian Dream's drastic pivot away from its pro-European stance, coinciding with the taint of Russia's influence. The ruling party's founder, Bidzina Ivanishvili, has faced accusations from U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who emphasized, "Ivanishvili and Georgian Dream’s actions have eroded democratic institutions, enabled human rights abuses, and curbed the exercise of fundamental freedoms in Georgia." Ivanishvili's recent sanctioning from the U.S. adds pressure to Georgian Dream, signaling strong discontent on the international front.
The protests, marked by chants of “Russians” and “slaves,” have seen thousands of demonstrators enduring freezing temperatures, police violence, and brutal crackdowns. Human Rights Watch reported instances of police employing excessive force, leading to widespread outrage and calls for accountability either through talks or new elections. Zourabichvili and civil society groups have questioned the legitimacy of the election results, asserting the government’s unyielding grip on power must end. "Numerous issues noted in our final report negatively impacted the integrity of these elections and eroded public trust in the process," said the OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission, pointing to systemic issues challenging Georgia’s democratic framework.
With Kavelashvili, a former football star known for his ultranationalist rhetoric, taking over the presidency on December 29, the country stands at a pivotal moment. Zourabichvili has declared she's not stepping down quietly, teasing resistance to hand over the keys to the presidential palace—this climax to the standoff emphasizing the deep division within Georgia’s political elite. "Let’s see where she ends up, behind bars or outside," Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze remarked, hinting at the precarious situation Zourabichvili finds herself within the new political framework.
Analysts fear this standoff could lead to serious crisis ramifications for Georgia’s position between the West and Russia. Many citizens view Kavelashvili as more of Ivanishvili’s pawn than as a legitimate leader. With up to 80% of the Georgian population supporting EU membership, the suspension of integration talks has triggered widespread dissatisfaction across societal divides. The population’s November protests indicate significant public mistrust, fueled by the perception of government betrayal of their democratic aspirations.
While Western countries have condemned the violence, the response from the EU has seemed tepid at best. Seeing the situation as increasingly dire, Zourabichvili has called upon European leaders to push for new elections and has urged the EU to recognize her as the voice representing the democratic will of the Georgian populace. She highlighted, "If we are honest, Europe so far has not fully lived [up] to the moment. Europe has, so far, met the challenge halfway."
Even as Georgia teeters between loyalty to Russia and aspirations to join the EU, the future remains uncertain. Some experts liken the situation to Belarus, which witnessed significant unrest and repressive crackdowns on demonstrations. If the Georgian Dream opts for escalation, it could mean renewed violence and deepening divisions.
What lies ahead for Zourabichvili and the people of Georgia is unclear, but her intention to stay and uphold judicial legitimacy seems steadfast, as one observer aptly noted: "We will see where she will continue living, behind bars or outside." The geopolitical ramifications of this crisis extend far beyond Georgia, encapsulating the struggle between democratic principles and autocratic governance as the nation navigates the turbulent waters of regional politics.
