Schlagwort: Europe

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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.
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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.