Georgia's Slide into Authoritarianism: A Year in Review Since Pro-EU Demonstrations

Since Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze declared the suspension of Georgia's EU integration efforts on November 28, 2024, the nation has been heading towards authoritarianism. This decision sparked ongoing, daily pro-European protests—now the longest-running anti-government demonstrations in Georgia's history—which have been met with increasing state suppression. Here’s a look at the changes and clampdowns over the past year.

International Isolation and Questionable Legitimacy

The ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party has failed to gain legitimacy both at home and abroad.

Legitimacy Issues: The government is viewed as illegitimate, with its leaders (like Mikheil Kavelashvili) lacking recognition domestically and internationally.

International Standing: GD leaders aren't invited to important international meetings anymore, while opposition figures, such as the former President Salome Zurabishvili, continue to receive invitations. Western partners now often focus on supporting the Georgian people, not the government.

Suspended Assistance and Isolation: Georgia is isolated from the West, with many international aid programs suspended. The UK stopped its assistance, and the EU suspended a €30 million installment for defense under the European Peace Facility (EPF).

Sanctions: Over 230 Georgian citizens—including officials, judges, and prosecutors—are under Western sanctions (US and EU), a first. The list includes Bidzina Ivanishvili. These sanctions have led to canceled diplomatic talks and the removal of some sanctioned officials from leadership roles.

Crackdown on Protests and Opposition

For a year, pro-European demonstrations have been held daily, mainly outside the parliament on Rustaveli Avenue. Georgian Dream has reacted with violence and new laws to suppress dissent.

Violence and Abuse: Initially, police attacked demonstrators with water cannons and tear gas. The Public Defender’s Office documented 282 cases of abuse against protesters, with 55 hospitalizations.

Repressive Laws: GD quickly passed laws to suppress gatherings. These changes criminalized minor actions, expanded law enforcement powers, banned items like masks, and increased fines for offenses like posting protest signs.

Consequences:

Over 600 people have been arrested on administrative charges.

Over 1,000 people have been heavily fined for minor offenses, totaling millions of lari. Some protesters have accumulated hundreds of thousands of lari in fines.

Political Prisoners (Criminal Charges): Georgia now has over a hundred political prisoners. Since the protests began, 122 people have faced criminal charges, including the imprisonment of activists, teachers, and journalists.

Opposition Leaders in Jail: Ten opposition leaders are imprisoned, including heads of major parties. Many face new charges to extend their sentences, and the Constitutional Court is reviewing a law that could ban the three largest opposition parties.

Targeting Civil Society, Media, and Public Service

The repression extends beyond the streets, aimed at shutting down all forms of dissent.

Independent Media Suppression: The pressure against the press is new. The Centre for Media, Information and Social Research (CMIS) recorded 600 cases of pressure on journalists. 14 media workers have been arrested, including Mzia Amaglobeli, the founder of Batumelebi and Netgazeti, sentenced to two years in prison on a false charge.

Restrictive Media Laws: Parliament passed laws restricting media activity, banning outlets from receiving foreign funding, limiting freedom of speech, and increasing state control.

Dismissal of Civil Servants: Around 800 to 1,200 public servants have been dismissed for expressing pro-European views or supporting EU integration, through changes to the Law on Public Service.

Future Concerns

The crackdown continues, with more repression being planned:

Emigrant Voting Ban: A bill in progress will likely restrict overseas voting, potentially affecting hundreds of thousands of Georgian emigrants.

Education Reform: A criticized reform is being prepared that experts say will lower educational quality and move standards away from Western ones, affecting the ability of young citizens to study abroad.

Minors’ Rehabilitation Centers: A bill to create special facilities for minors who commit offenses has been criticized as a violation of children’s rights.

Despite the pressure, fines, arrests, and laws to suppress dissent, the protest movement continues, with activists vowing to continue demonstrating till the end.