Schlagwort: Europe

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Show of Strength with no Direction

Last years protests against the results of the parliamentary elections, November 4th, 2024.

The October 4th elections came and went. As expected, a large crowd took to the streets in protest—tens of thousands once again gathered in Tbilisi, with many even traveling from distant parts of the country, to express their discontent with the nation’s current direction. Some clashed with law enforcement in front of the presidential palace, but interestingly, while those confrontations unfolded, the majority of protesters remained in front of the parliament on Rustaveli Avenue.

Hans Gutbrod, a German-born academic, policy research consultant, and professor at Tbilisi’s Ilia State University, offered a first reflection on the events: „What to make of the day? Overall a show of strength—but not one of direction. That strength after months of repression remains impressive, but it won’t be enough to get the country back on track, without a clearer, concerted strategy.“

With a record-low voter turn out, no one can seriously claim the election results to be a confirmation of the course set by the self-proclaimed government. And while all five organizers of the demonstrations were later that night arrested „on charges of calling for the violent overthrow of state authorities and attempting to change the constitutional order through violence, as well as organizing, leading, and participating in group violence“ (civil.ge), one can’t help but wonder what would have been possible if there had been a united opposition.

You can also read a write up of how the day unfolded in the 64 project posts.

Capturing a mood that feels representative today, even though I made it back in May 2024, in Tbilisi, on the day the parliament overruled President Zourabishvili’s veto against the „Russian Law“
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Protest Resilience and Diplomatic Fallout

Picture from the archive: marching in protest against the self-proclaimed government, Tbilisi, Georgia, May 2025.

There’s no stopping the demonstrations. For over 300 consecutive days, Georgian citizens have been marching through the streets of their capital and other cities, both large and small, in protest against the self-proclaimed government. They are calling for the release of all political prisoners, new and fair elections, and the continuation of Georgia’s accession process to the EU.

Although the number of participants varies, the determination of those who show up remains unwavering. Defying current probabilities, they continue to stand up for—and believe in—a near future within European and Western alliances.

Tensions now appear to be rising again in the days leading up to the local elections on October 4th, with some opposition forces calling for a mass demonstration on election day, aimed at peacefully overthrowing the government.

Meanwhile, the self-proclaimed Georgian government is doing everything in its power to further widen the rift with the European Union. It has summoned first the German, then the British ambassador, accusing them of “interference in the internal affairs of the host country.” Unsurprisingly, these actions—along with similar remarks previously voiced by government representatives—were met with a swift and firm response from the Delegation of the European Union to Georgia, which rejected “the baseless and damaging accusations about the role and activities of some diplomatic missions in Georgia.”

The situation highlights both the resilience of Georgian civil society and the deepening diplomatic tensions, underscoring the high stakes as the country approaches what could be another critical electoral moment—even though most opposition parties are not participating, having rejected the legitimacy of the current administration.

Picture from the archive: demonstrating for a European future on Europe Day, 09.05.2025, Tbilisi, Georgia.
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Is Democracy Negotiable?

As daily protests continue to sweep through Tbilisi and cities across Georgia, the call for meaningful support from Europe and the West grows more urgent.

Eduard Marikashvili, a Georgian lawyer, human rights advocate, and chair of the Georgian Democracy Initiative (GDI), recently published a compelling opinion piece in OC Media, questioning the resolve of the West to live up to their promises.

„If that turns out to be true, the damage will echo far beyond Georgia. It will tell authoritarian leaders around the world that democracy is negotiable — that repression has no cost.

But if the West chooses differently — if it listens to the voices of the Georgian people and acts boldly to defend their rights — it will send another message entirely: that democracy is not dead. That even in the face of strategic fatigue, its defenders will not walk away.“

A young protester calls for international support during a rally in response to Georgia’s disputed parliamentary elections in October 2024.
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A Democracy in Freefall

„What we are witnessing is not a gradual erosion of democratic norms, but an orchestrated and aggressive shift toward authoritarianism. It is deliberate. It is accelerating. And it is being carried out by Georgia’s ruling party – Georgian Dream – under the informal direction of its founder, Russia-linked oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili.“ Terje Helland has published another valuable article on his substack analyzing the current political developments in Georgia.

„This is the fastest democratic collapse in Europe in recent memory. And it offers urgent lessons for the entire West.“ His analysis of the situation thus adds an outsider’s perspective to OC Media’s write-up of the legislative changes passed by Georgia’s ruling party since 2023.

Helland concludes by mentioning what should be done by „the West“, how Western/European governments should act in support of the Georgian people, because „… amidst this darkness, one fact stands out: the people of Georgia have not given up. For over six months, they have taken to the streets, every day, in the largest pro-democracy protests since the Rose Revolution. Protesters carry EU and US flags. They sing the European anthem.

This is not an elite movement. It is grassroots. It is broad-based. It is deeply Georgian.“

Check out his substack for more interesting articles and if you like what you see, here’s how you can support his work.

People demonstrating their support for a European future outside the Georgian parliament, May 2024.
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Never Give Up

Ghia Nodia is a professor of political science at Ilia State University and director of the Caucasus Institute for Peace, Democracy, and Development in Tbilisi, Georgia. In a recent article published online in the Journal of Democracy, he analyzed the current situation in Georgia, laying our why Georgians will never give up. „Everyone realizes that if the public is defeated now, there might not be another chance for a long time.“

Meaning another chance to turn things around because, as he states, „the ruling party’s fundamental weakness is that its policies go against the core of Georgia’s national project as long understood and endorsed by most of its people“. It’s a compelling read to understand what’s at stake for the Georgian population. 

Flashing a victory sign during a demonstration behind the Georgian Parliament, May 2024.

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Yes to Independence

Honoring 34 years today since Georgians declared a thundering YES to independence for the world to hear.

Students carrying a the flags of Europe and of the first Republic of Georgia (1918-1921) during a march in May 2024.

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Remembering The Russian Occupation

On this day in 1921, Georgia was occupied by the Soviets as Tbilisi fell to the Red Army. To commemorate the occupation, demonstrations will take place across Tbilisi, each honoring a hero of the 1921 war. The groups will unite at Heroes Square before marching toward the Georgian Parliament where a final rally will be held.

Look at this country, look at these people.

Carrying the torch last year in May during the demonstrations against the „Russian Law“ in Tbilisi.
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„We Will Not Surrender“

Commitment, determination, a spirit of resilience—along with a sense of unity and moments of joy—left a strong impression on me during the protests against the ‚Russian Law‘ in Tbilisi in May 2024.

Eighty days and counting. The Georgian people continue to take to the streets every day and night, protesting in the capital, Tbilisi, and cities across the country. They are demanding new and fair elections, the release of all political prisoners, and the continuation of the EU accession process.

This is a prime example of unwavering civic engagement in the fight for democracy—organized by civil society. We, as the „Western world,“ should watch and learn.

„Never surrender“—this idea has carried the protests from May of last year, when I met this young man, to today, 80 days after the current demonstrations began.
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Georgian Nightmare

The road to authoritarianism is paved with “let’s wait and see.” The Georgian government has just announced a set of repressive laws that will further dismantle democracy and centralize power. In short, this means criminalizing dissent, silencing opposition, and seizing total control.

This is the most dangerous moment for Georgia’s democracy since it gained independence in 1991. Essentially, it marks a step closer to the authoritarian axis of Russia, China, and Iran. If Western alliances hope to counter this, they must urgently step up their support for the Georgian civil society and opposition—and they must do it now.

For a deeper understanding of what’s at stake, read Terje Helland’s excellent analysis on BlueSky, which served as the source for the thoughts expressed above. And if you want to see more, consider supporting his efforts to inform and engage.

As releveant today as it was on October 28, when I photographed this protester on the steps of the Georgian Parliament in Tbilisi.
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Resolve And Resilience

While the protests are still going on and going strong in Georgia, for the 58th day in a row, new and creative ways are emerging. Such as today, the hacking of payment machines in Tbilisi busses, so that people heard the declaration of Georgian independence: „I am Georgian, therefor I am European“ among other protest songs and speeches.

Embodying resolve and resilience – a woman protesting the „Russian Law“ in Tbilisi, May 2024.