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Georgia is a Free Country

Over the past few days, tensions in Georgia have been escalating once again. There was the first-ever strike, which was followed by numerous businesses and citizens. But there were also protesters and media representatives who were arrested, and violent attacks on citizens and even opposition politicians, carried out by high-ranking officials of the self-proclaimed government.

Meanwhile an article was published on civil.ge written by Natalie Sabanadze, a Senior Research Fellow at the Russia and Eurasia Programme of Chatham House, and former head of the Georgian mission to the EU as well as former ambassador of Georgia to Belgium and Luxembourg.

She provides a compelling analysis of the situation, examining how the Georgian Dream (GD) is precipitating its own downfall, claiming that Georgia is a free country after all. Really? Given all the news mentioned above?

She argues, that Georgia „is a revolutionary democracy where popular resistance serves as the ultimate check on power. While ruling elites may succeed in capturing the state, they consistently fail to subjugate its citizens.“

Her article offers a fascinating perspective on the current situation, leading to the assumption that the „protest movement’s strategy should focus on maximizing the costs for the GD and undermining its claim of being in effective control of the country. The GD should not be dictating scenarios but rather responding to those set by the protesters and their international supporters.“

Standing up against power outside the Georgian Parliament in Tbilisi during a protest against the „Russian Law“ in May 2024.
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National Flag Day

Today is „Flag of Georgia“ Day. While people continue to demonstrate against the self-proclaimed government and advocate for the release of all detained protesters—particularly Mzia Amaglobeli, the recently arrested director of the media outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti—they are also celebrating their flag as the ultimate symbol of their commitment to a free and European Georgia.

A young protester joyfully carrying the Georgian flag during a demonstration against the „Russian Law“ in Tbilisi in May 2024.
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Insights and a Historic First

Already in May 2024 during the demonstrations against the „Russian Law“, the people made clear where they stand.

While the old year ended with a new but illegitimate president alongside an „old“ but legitimate one, the people in Georgia started the new year with continued protests on the streets of Tbilisi and in many other cities across Georgia, calling for new elections and the liberation of all detained protesters.

But there were also interesting write-ups about what’s going on. The student and activist Gocha Gogsadze wrote about „everything you didn’t realize you needed to know about Georgia’s protests“.

Rasa Jukneviciene, Lithuanian member of the European Parliament also serving as „Permanent Rapporteur on Georgian Affairs at the European Parliament“, drew a wider panorama providing background about Georgia and beyond, mentioning that what is happening in Georgia „… is one of the episodes in Russia’s centuries-long imperial actions and Putin’s hybrid war against democracies.“

Meanwhile, for the first time ever, local businesses have announced a three-hour strike on January 15.

Connecting for a brief moment and a smile during a protest against the „Russian Law“ in May 2024, on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi.
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US Sanctions

„On 27 December, the U.S. Treasury Department’s main sanctions authority, the Office of Foreign Asset Controls (OFAC), announced that it had sanctioned Bidzina Ivanishvili. It used its most far-reaching sanctions tool – the specifically designated nationals (SDN) – and most significantly, it did so under Executive Order 14024, which targets those working on behalf of Vladimir Putin’s Kremlin.“ Maximilian Hess, founder at Enmetena Advisory and fellow at Foreign Policy Research Institute provides a good analysis on what the sanctions against Ivanishvili mean.

„Ivanishvili and his Georgian Dream Party had already made clear to the Georgian people they faced a choice between them and the West with the aforementioned suspension of Georgia’s EU accession efforts. But OFAC’s actions now mean Georgian business must also choose between their country’s dominant billionaire and the West.“

When the news arrived yesterday, it was greeted by the sound of the Star-Spangled Banner ringing out over Rustaveli Avenue.

Now, Europe, can we at least form a ‚coalition of the willing‘, bypassing Russia’s puppets, Orban and Fico, and do something similar – following the example of the Baltic States?

Protesters showing their appreciation for US support on a demonstration in Tbilisi against the „Russian Law“, in May 2024.
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A Call to Action

„Within the next few days, until 29 December, European governments will need to take a position in one of the most dramatic confrontations of 2024, in a months-long bitter struggle to preserve a European democracy: Who is the president of Georgia?“ The European Stability Initiative (ESI) is a group of Europeans working towards a Europe „capable of defending its democratic institutions and its human rights standards against illiberal forces, in particular to South-East Europe“.

They have published an analysis of the situation in Georgia, just days before the anticipated showdown over the presidency. The analysis condemns the silence of democratic European governments regarding the stolen elections and the unconstitutional process for selecting a new president.

They also call on these governments to finally step up and confront the Georgian Dream party. Failing to do so, they argue, would mean abandoning Georgian democrats and conceding a significant victory to Russia and Putin.

Meanwhile, yesterday, among several demonstrations, a women’s march took place in Tbilisi to protest against the self-proclaimed government, demanding new and fair elections.

Europe, are you listening?

A moment during the protest against the „Russian Law“ on May 26, 2024, the Georgian Independence Day, on Chavchavadze Avenue in Tbilisi.

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„Reclaiming Who We Are“

Walking towards a brighter future, May 2024, Tbilisi, Georgia.

„What’s happening in Georgia goes beyond politics or any single issue. It’s the feeling of a nation waking up, of people standing together, not just against something, but for something.“ Nodar Rukhadze is a Human Rights activist, journalist and one of the founders of the Shame Movement in Georgia, a group „united by the goal of achieving Euro-Atlantic integration and systemic democratic reforms through non-violent activism“.

In a social media post, Rukhadze provides insight into the deeper meaning of the events unfolding in Georgia: „This isn’t just about elections or an illegitimate government. It’s about reclaiming who we are, both as a country and as individuals who refuse to be silenced.” Read his full statement here.

Meanwhile, over the weekend, hundreds of thousands of demonstrators once again gathered in Tbilisi, uniting in song, dance, and protest to stand up for the future of their country.

Look at these people. Look at this country.

Young protesters in Tbilisi during a rally against the so called „Russian Law“ on the day the parliament overruled President Zourabishvili’s veto against the legislation, May 28, 2024.
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Sharing a Special Moment

Today, it’s the grandparents marching through the streets of Tbilisi, protesting against the current self-proclaimed government.

When I was in Tbilisi this past May, attending demonstrations against the so-called “Russian Law,” I passed a group of people and noticed an elderly woman. I stopped, we looked at each other, slowly, I raised my camera and made this picture.

Afterward, we smiled and she seemed to thank me with a nod and a hand placed across her heart. Yet, I felt like I was the one gifted with such a special moment.

Look at this country. Look at these people.

An elderly woman in Tbilisi, with whom I shared a brief but special moment in May of this year.
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Rumors, Cracks and A Real President

Rumors circulated this past week that Irakli Kobakhidze, the prime minister of the self-proclaimed government, was on the verge of stepping down. Similar rumors were spread about Irakli Garibashvili, the former prime minister now serving as Georgian Dream’s chairman. These speculations followed a phone call between French President Emmanuel Macron and Bidzina Ivanishvili, the informal leader of the Georgian Dream party. Amidst these developments, the Georgian people continued to flood the streets in protest—in Tbilisi and across the country—demanding new and fair elections, the resumption of accession talks with the European Union, and support and sanctions from Western allies.

The protests drew participation from various professional groups, including IT workers, winemakers, marketing professionals, and many others. Notably, even a significant number of members of the administration voiced their dissent against the policies of the self-proclaimed government, highlighting the widening cracks within the governing system. In fact, the scale of yesterday’s demonstrations was so extensive that they effectively paralyzed the streets of the capital.

Today, December 14, a new president was scheduled to be elected, as the term of the current president is about to expire. However, while the illegitimate parliament convened behind closed doors to elect a former football player with no recognizable credentials, Salome Zourabichvili—the current and legitimate president—was out on the streets. She greeted and supported the protesters, once again assuring them that she would not abandon the people.

Already on October 28th, President Salome Zourabichvili addressed the crowd protesting against the rigged parliamentary elections in front of the Georgian Parliament on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi.
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Europe, Are You Listening?

Following another week of protests marked by police violence, widespread arrests of demonstrators—including opposition politicians, student activists, journalists, and even teenagers—people in Georgia continue to call for support, awaiting significant reactions from the international community.

The Baltic states were the first to respond, imposing sanctions on individuals associated with the Georgian Dream, followed by the government of Ukraine. The U.S. administration announced that it is seriously considering all options. Now, all eyes are on Brussels, waiting for an adequate response.

Europe, are you listening?

Demonstrators calling for sanctions against representatives of the self-proclaimed Georgian government during a protest in front of the Georgian parliament on November 4, 2024.
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Clashing On Rustaveli

Night six of the standoff between the government and the people of Georgia unfolded much like the previous nights. Thousands once again flooded Tbilisi’s main avenue, voicing their discontent over the results of the rigged election and the anti-European stance of the self-proclaimed government. As usual, their calls were met with disproportionate police violence, transforming Rustaveli Avenue into a battleground where firecrackers clashed with water cannons and police squads.

For more on what’s happening, follow photographers like Tako Robakidze, Dina Oganova, Guram Muradov, and others for their powerful coverage.

Already in May of this year, during the demonstrations against the so-called „Russian Law,“ protesters were prepared to confront police intimidation tactics.