Georgians Rally for a European Future as Tensions Rise Ahead of Elections
On October 20, tens of thousands of pro-Europe Georgians took to the streets of Tbilisi to protest against the ruling Georgian Dream party, just days ahead of crucial parliamentary elections scheduled for October 26. The stakes are high, as opposition groups have expressed fears that a potential victory for Georgian Dream could threaten democracy and derail the country's aspirations for European Union membership. Concerns about the implications of these elections have reverberated across Western capitals, where worries about Georgia's political orientation have intensified.
Pro-Western President Salome Zurabishvili, having distanced herself from the Georgian Dream-led government, voiced support for the opposition protesters. In a press conference, she announced her intention to join the rallies, underscoring a collective desire for freedom, independence, and a pro-European trajectory for the nation. The opposition marches commenced at 5 PM local time from multiple locations in the capital, including the Heroes Square and Republic Square, culminating in a concert at Freedom Square in the evening.
Despite the strong pro-European sentiment among demonstrators, members of the ruling party attempted to downplay the significance of the gatherings. Some officials described the protests as merely initiatives spearheaded by LGBT activists, seeking to delegitimize the broader pro-European message that resonated among the crowd.
In a notable development, Mikheil Saakashvili, the former Georgian president, currently imprisoned, warned of severe ramifications should the Georgian Dream party triumph in the upcoming elections. He foresees provocations potentially arising in the lead-up to and following the elections. Speaking to RFERL, Saakashvili highlighted concerns about the increasing curtailment of democratic freedoms, pointing to recent laws imposed by Georgian Dream that restrictive NGO activities and media receiving foreign funding, as well as measures against what it labels as LGBT propaganda.
The party's rhetoric has centered on framing the elections as a critical choice between war and peace, incorporating campaign imagery that starkly contrasts the devastation of wartime Ukraine with the affluence of a peaceful Georgia. Such tactics have led to allegations of fearmongering, and Western allies are closely monitoring the unfolding situation.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has commended the Georgian government for enacting legislation that aligns with Moscow's interests, including laws classified as foreign agents and anti-LGBT measures. These developments have catalyzed a backlash from the West, prompting the European Union to freeze Georgia’s accession process and leading to sanctions from the United States targeting key Georgian officials and the influential founder of Georgian Dream, Bidzina Ivanishvili.
Relations between Georgia and the United States, once seen as a steadfast alliance, appear to have hit a nadir, marked by the recent refusal of White House officials to meet with Georgian officials during the UN General Assembly. Furthermore, an invitation extended to Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze for a reception hosted by President Joe Biden was retracted, signaling a significant shift in diplomatic engagement.
As the October 26 elections approach, the divide between pro-European aspirations and a potentially authoritarian shift under Georgian Dream looms large over Georgia’s political landscape. The outcome may not only dictate the country’s immediate governance but also determine its long-term alignment in the geopolitical landscape of Eastern Europe.
Related Sources: