On October 26th, parliamentary elections were held in Georgia, with the ruling Georgian Dream organization declaring victory. However, the results rapidly came into question as they starkly contradicted the exit polls. many reports surfaced, raising serious concerns about the integrity of the election process, suggesting that the elections may have been rigged. The most prominent issue was the violation of voter anonymity, with any ballots revealing voters’ choices due to mediocre paper quality. justice Vladimer Khuchua of Tetritskaro Municipality confirmed that voter secrecy had indeed been breached, setting a crucial legal precedent. Consequently, the results from 30 polling stations were annulled. However, this ruling was later overturned by the advanced chamber of the court. This was a decision not amazing to many, given the close full control the Georgian Dream organization holds over the judiciary.
Prior to the authoritative results being announced, opposition parties had expressed optimism, celebrating what they believed to be a triumph based on exit poll projections. However, erstwhile the authoritative results declared the ruling party’s victory, which showed an even stronger performance than in erstwhile elections, it triggered a political crisis. This improvement raised further doubts about the legitimacy of the elections. For the first time in Georgian history, the president of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili, publically declared that the elections had been rigged. She stated that the fresh parliament was illegitimate and urged 4 major opposition parties to refuse to take their seats. This declaration marked the beginning of widespread protests across the country.
Although the protests were initially small, they rapidly gained momentum and became a regular feature of Georgia’s political life. Adding to the public’s frustration was the announcement of Mikheil Kavelashvili as Georgian Dream’s fresh presidential candidate. A erstwhile footballer, Kavelashvili has made small impact as a politician. He is widely known for his extremist pro-Russian views and for his controversial remarks directed at political opponents. His candidacy was met with widespread disdain, drawing comparisons to the infamous decision by Roman Emperor Caligula, who made his horse a senator.
The public’s discontent with Kavelashvili goes beyond his personality. Many Georgians are frustrated by his deficiency of formal education, as he has never earned a university degree. This, coupled with his extremist views, has intensified the sense of alienation felt by many citizens.
In consequence to the ongoing crisis, president Zourabichvili declared that she would not vacate the presidential palace, asserting that she represented the only legitimate institution in the country. She regards the newly-elected parliament as illegitimate and stated that it does not substance whether or not they elect Kavelashvili as president. The president besides called for the resignation of Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and demanded that a date for fresh elections be announced within 2 weeks.
International condemnation
On November 28th, the European Parliament took a crucial step, passing a resolution declaring the fresh parliamentary elections in Georgia to be fraudulent. The resolution rejected the election results and called for sanctions against the leaders of Georgian Dream. It further demanded that fresh elections be held in a reformed electoral environment, under the supervision of an independent and impartial electoral administration. The resolution received overwhelming support and was introduced by 5 major political groups in the European Parliament: the European People’s Party, Social Democrats, Greens, Liberals, and European Conservatives. With 444 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) voting in favour, 72 against, and 82 abstaining, the resolution underscored the European Union’s disapproval of the election process in Georgia.
Though the resolution is not legally binding, it carries crucial political weight and serves as a powerful symbolic message of the European Union’s position. The decision of the European Parliament raises serious questions about the legitimacy of Georgia’s October elections and may signal a turning point in the country’s political trajectory. It has the possible to spark crucial shifts regarding both home and global political dynamics. The call for fresh elections in a reformed environment could consequence in far-reaching changes to Georgia’s political landscape, driving much-needed reforms and reshaping the country’s governance.
The European Union’s stance has provoked outrage within the Georgian ruling party. In consequence to the resolution, Georgian Dream announced its decision to suspend negotiations on EU membership until 2028, despite the fact that about 80 per cent of the Georgian population supports EU accession. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, in a defiant speech, accused the European Parliament and certain European leaders of “blackmail”.
This decision, coupled with the prime minister’s rhetoric, sparked widespread protests across Georgia, making it evident that the government is willing to defy the country’s constitution. In 2018, Euro-Atlantic provisions were added to the Georgian Constitution through an amendment. Article 78 of the paper specifically states:
“The constitutional bodies shall take all measures within the scope of their competences to guarantee the full integration of Georgia into the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.”
The government’s actions, peculiarly its consequence to the European Union’s resolution, have raised concerns that it is willing to undermine the constitution in order to keep its grip on power. In fresh days, tensions in Georgia have surged as peculiar forces and riot police have aggressively responded to mostly peaceful protests, utilizing water cannons, pepper spray, and teardrop gas. While most demonstrators have remained non-violent, a tiny group of youth has engaged in more confrontational actions, including throwing objects and shooting fireworks. In turn, the police have escalated their tactics, deploying teardrop gas and chemical-laced water jets aimed straight at individuals. The force has affected both protesters and journalists. A shocking video showing a young teen being kicked in the face by 2 police officers while already on the ground has sparked widespread outrage. Meanwhile, a 22-year-old remains in a coma after sustaining injuries during the protests. Journalists covering the events have besides become victims of police brutality, with respective injured while reporting on the unrest on Rustaveli Avenue.
In consequence to the increasing violence, mothers across the nation gathered outside police stations in a powerful show of solidarity, calling on officers to uphold their oath to defend citizens, alternatively than perpetuating injustice and brutality. The request for accountability continues to intensify, drawing both home and global condemnation.
Parody politics
On December 14th, Mikheil Kavelashvili, the erstwhile football player, was elected by a 300-seat electoral college made up of members of parliament, municipal councils and regional legislatures. This followed the replacement of direct presidential elections. His win was almost guaranteed, as he was the only candidate. During the election proceedings, a “Mother’s March” was held in front of the presidential palace. president Salome Zourabichvili left the palace to express her gratitude to the participants. While speaking with them, she remarked on the elections: “No 1 has been elected. Nothing has changed. I will proceed my work —what else should I do?” 1 day later, she addressed a press conference, stating: “What will happen in parliament next day is simply a parody. It will be an event entirely devoid of legitimacy, unconstitutional and illegitimate.”
In short, the president has asserted her position by stating that she remains the legitimate president, as the parliament itself is illegitimate. Therefore, the president chosen by the parliament is besides illegitimate. A akin message was issued jointly by the 4 major opposition parties.
The interior rejection of the fresh president was followed by global disapproval. The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) and the global coalition of liberal political parties, Liberal International, have issued a message regarding Georgian Dream’s appointment of Mikheil Kavelashvili as president of Georgia. It asserted that this decision does not represent the will of the Georgian people. The message besides reaffirms their continued designation of Salome Zourabichvili as the legitimately elected president. Members of the European Parliament and respective abroad politicians have already stated that they do not consider the fresh president legitimate. For instance, the MEP Rasa Juknevičienė stated: “There were no real elections today. What took place was a farce – just like in Russia, Belarus, and another autocracies.The only legitimate authoritative in Georgia is president Zourabichvili,elected as a consequence of free elections…Ivanishvili continues the state capture.”
US typical Joe Wilson raised alarm over the situation in Georgia, labelling the ruling organization as an “illegitimate puppet government” and denouncing its “brutal” crackdown on protesters. He called for immediate sanctions on Bidzina Ivanishvili and his Georgian Dream allies, emphasizing that the US cannot stand by as Georgia possibly falls into dictatorship,against the will of its citizens. Wilson made these comments on X. Additionally, on December 12th, the US State Department imposed visa restrictions on around 20 individuals active in undermining democracy in Georgia. Affected individuals include government ministers, parliamentarians, law enforcement officials, and private citizens. The State Department did not disclose their identities.
A powder keg
It is hard to foretell what may unfold in Georgia in the coming weeks, months and even days. However, it is likely that tensions could escalate late in December, as the ruling government will likely intensify its efforts to remove Salome Zourabichvili from the presidential palace. While police brutality has somewhat decreased in fresh days, Georgia remains a powder keg, where any spark could trigger an explosion. It seems that Georgian Dream is more afraid about the US than the European Union. Personally, I believe they will hazard everything and stay tough on the opposition until they face stronger repercussions from the global community, including harsher sanctions or another severe actions. Georgian Dream appears to believe that, like Trump and his administration, the US will turn a blind eye to their violations, allowing them to keep power. It is clear that this crisis can only be resolved through fresh democratic and free elections. If the Georgian people neglect to bring this about, and if the global community does not take strong action, it is highly likely that Georgian Dream will hold onto power for years to come. Who will halt them then?
In conclusion, the ongoing political crisis in Georgia has become a pivotal minute for the nation, as it grapples with accusations of election fraud, widespread protests, and a deepening rift with the European Union. The erosion of democratic principles, exemplified by the manipulation of electoral processes and the crackdown on peaceful demonstrators, has not only polarized the country but besides placed its future political trajectory at a crossroads. With mounting home and global force for accountability, Georgia faces a critical choice: either embrace much-needed reforms and reconstruct trust in its democratic institutions, or proceed down a way of defiance, further alienating its people and jeopardizing its aspirations for European integration. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether the Georgian government can navigate this crisis or hazard plunging the country into a prolonged period of instability.
Lasha Gamjashvili holds a Bachelor’s degree with honors in Social Sciences, specializing in global Relations, from global Black Sea University in Tbilisi and a Master’s degree in Social Sciences from Vytautas Magnus University in Vilnius. He has besides completed various programs at prestigious European universities, including Justus Liebig University Giessen, the University of Oslo, and the University of Tartu. Lasha has worked with respective global programs, specified as the German Marshall Fund and the Disruption Network Lab. As a postgraduate of the Advocacy and Leadership Program, he is besides a associate of the Swedish Institute Network.
Public task financed by the Ministry of abroad Affairs of the Republic of Poland within the grant competition “Public Diplomacy 2024 – 2025 – the European dimension and countering disinformation”.
The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not reflect the views of the authoritative positions of the Ministry of abroad Affairs of the Republic of Poland.
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