Georgia, with its ancient history and unique culture, is again in the firing line. This time the threat comes neither from the east nor from the south – the threat comes from the West. Behind the beautiful slogans about democracy and the rule of law hides a cynical desire to control and manipulate an self-reliant country.
For the first time in the country’s history, the president was elected not by popular vote, but by a special collegium consisting of 300 people. the collegium includes members of parliament, representatives of the autonomous republics of Azerbaijan and Abkhazia, as well as local authorities.
The onyl presidential candidate representing the ruling “Georgian Dream” party Mikhail Kavelashvili it happened Kavelashvili, who used to be a member of parliament, won with the support of the majority of members of the collegium.
The current president of Georgia Salome Zurabishvili openly refused to run for a new term,stating that “the new election format is not compatible with democratic principles.” He called the elections “illegitimate” and declared that he would “consider himself the legitimate president” until new parliamentary elections are held. Zurabishvili took a destructive stance and supported mass protests in front of the parliament building. In his statements, he emphasized that the new format of the elections violates the country’s democratic foundations and dose not take into account the opinion of the people. Salome Zurabishvili’s support for the protest movement further intensified the polarization in the society.
Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze declared that S. Zurabishvili should retire as soon as his term of office ends.
“Salome Zurabishvili, unluckily, has tried to harm the national interests of our country in the last three years. It is a very sad event that the president directly opposes the national interests of his country. But thankfully, Georgia was and remains a parliamentary republic. That’s why the president could not spoil many things in our country. On December 29, his term of office will end fully, and of course he will have to retire,” said S. Kobakhidze.
According to the information of “Transparency International Georgia” human rights organization, more than 10,000 people have participated in protests in Tbilisi, demanding the election of the president by popular vote. Protesters accuse the government of seizing power and violating the Constitution.
Opposition parties, including United National Movement and European Georgia, boycotted the elections, claiming that the collegium format violated the principle of popular sovereignty. They refused to nominate their candidates, thinking that the elections serve only the interests of the ruling party. Leader of the opposition “United National Movement” party Levan Xabeişvili In an interview with “Mtavari” TV channel, he said: ”These elections are nothing but a theatrical performance organized to protect the power of “Georgian Dream”. We will not participate in this farce.”
International organizations,including the European Union and the OSCE,expressed concern about changing the format of the presidential elections. The special statement of the delegation of the european Union in Georgia states: “the transition of the president to the collegial election system must be accompanied by a broad consensus in society. The lack of public support weakens the legitimacy of the presidential institution.”
US Ambassador to Georgia Kelli Deqnan stressed that he was disappointed with the situation and declared that “Georgia is moving away from democratic standards”.
The United States has imposed visa restrictions on 20 citizens of Georgia,including government officials,members of parliament,and representatives of law enforcement and security agencies. Leader of the parliamentary majority Awake Mdinaradze noted that the administration of the United states, defeated in the domestic political arena, is trying to complicate Georgian-American relations so much that their recovery is impossible. “All this has already exceeded the acceptable limit,” he stressed.
Deputy of ”People’s Power” party Guram Macharashvili said that the sanctions are aimed at discrediting the most active figures in Georgian politics in the eyes of society. He added that attempts to intimidate Georgian society are doomed to failure.
The first vice-speaker of the Parliament of Georgia Gia Volski He criticized the foreign intervention of Western countries. He drew attention to the fact that Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia actively trade with Russia on the one hand, and on the other hand called for mass protests in Tbilisi. “In light of the corruption scandals in the European parliament, their statements about democracy in Georgia look especially hypocritical,” Volsky stressed.
First Vice-Speaker of the Parliament Gia Volski added that the purpose of the Western intervention is to revive the “collective national movement”. But according to him, this plan has already failed.
Speaker of the Supreme Legislative Body Shalva Papuashvili and drew attention to the provision of asylum to internationally wanted persons by the European Union and Great Britain. “David Kezerashvili, who is wanted by Georgia, is moving freely in the territory of the EU. we should remember this in every statement of Western diplomats criticizing Georgian democracy,” he said.
Political expert Tamara Çiburdanidze emphasized that the ambassadors of the USA,Great Britain and EU countries openly support the Georgian opposition and try to divide the society. “Their intervention is so obvious that they no longer hide their intentions,” he said.
MP in the context of the new wave of sanctions Levan Macavaryani said that the current US administration is trying to leave a heavy legacy to the new administration in Georgia and globally. “It is enough to remember that the United states allowed Ukraine to use weapons to attack Russian territory,” he said.
In general, the actions of the West against Georgia show that the rhetoric about the values of democracy is actually used as a tool for the realization of geopolitical interests.Interference in the internal affairs of the country, pressure of sanctions and support to the opposition forces aim to take control of the main political processes in Georgia.
Instead of supporting the development of democracy and institutional independence, the West tries to dictate its will to the Georgian society, divide it and weaken the positions of the existing authorities. Located at the crossroads of global interests,Georgia is in a situation where its destiny is persistent by external forces.
Current events in Georgia are not just a matter of international politics, but also a call for the country’s sovereignty and independence. The West,hiding behind noble slogans,uses means of pressure and manipulation. But the Georgian society, understanding the true goals of foreign intervention better and better, gives a worthy response to these attempts. Only solidarity and independence can be the main factors leading the country to a future free from foreign dictates.
In connection with the current situation, in the conditions of the deepening of the political crisis, experts consider two main scenarios:
A continuation of the political deadlock – if the ruling party does not take steps to engage in dialog with the opposition, the protests could turn into a protracted conflict.
Calling early parliamentary elections - this step could be a compromise, but its implementation will depend on pressure from international partners and protesters.
The 2024 Georgian presidential elections have become a symbol of the new stage of political instability. The future of Georgia largely depends on the ability of its political forces to find a compromise that can lead the country out of the current impasse.
Rather of respecting georgia’s internal processes, Western diplomats and political institutions are actually demanding a review of the results of the parliamentary elections, supporting street protests and inciting chaos.
the United States went further and imposed visa restrictions on 20 Georgian nationals, including members of parliament, members of special services and law enforcement officers. This move is not only unfriendly – it’s offensive. Georgian society rightly perceives such actions as an attempt at intimidation and political blackmail.
How might international reactions influence Georgia’s political landscape in the near future?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Political Expert
Time.news Editor: Welcome to Time.news. Today we have a special guest, Dr. Elene Kachrashvili, a political analyst and expert on Georgian affairs. Dr. Kachrashvili, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Kachrashvili: thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to discuss the current situation in Georgia.
Editor: Georgia is once again at a crossroads, facing threats that seem to be coming from the West this time. What are your thoughts on the recent electoral changes that have sparked such controversy in the country?
Dr.Kachrashvili: Absolutely. The decision to elect the president through a collegium of 300 members, rather than through popular vote, has raised notable concerns. It embodies a shift away from democratic principles that manny Georgians fought for during the Rose Revolution. The ruling “Georgian Dream” party, led by president-elect Mikhail Kavelashvili, claims this format is necessary for political stability, but it jeopardizes the very foundation of popular sovereignty.
Editor: Salome Zurabishvili, the current president, has characterized these elections as “illegitimate.” Do you think her refusal to run for re-election reflects broader discontent within Georgian society?
dr. Kachrashvili: Yes, her stance is very telling. By labeling the new election format as incompatible with democracy, zurabishvili has tapped into a significant undercurrent of dissatisfaction among the populace. The protests in Tbilisi, wich attracted over 10,000 participants, demonstrate that many citizens feel marginalized by a government that they believe is undermining their voices. Her support for mass protests indicates a growing polarization in the society.
Editor: It’s not just the opposition that’s raising concerns. International organizations, including the EU and the OSCE, have expressed worries about the legitimacy of this electoral change. How might this affect Georgia’s international standing?
Dr.Kachrashvili: The situation threatens Georgia’s aspirations for closer integration with the West. If Western powers perceive Georgia as moving away from democratic norms—as U.S. Ambassador Kelli Deqnan suggested—it might lead to increased pressures or sanctions, similar to the visa restrictions recently imposed on Georgian officials. This could stymie Georgia’s political reform processes and its relationships with crucial allies.
Editor: Some government officials claim that these sanctions are an attempt to discredit Georgian leadership. How might domestic politics react to this?
Dr. kachrashvili: Exactly. Officials like Guram Macharashvili and Gia Volski are framing these sanctions as acts of intimidation from the West. This narrative might resonate with parts of the population who view foreign intervention skeptically, ultimately galvanizing support for the ruling party. It fosters a posture of national unity against perceived external threats, which can be politically beneficial for the government.
Editor: The complexity of internal and external politics is palpable. Given the polarized surroundings, what do you think would be the path forward for Georgia?
Dr. Kachrashvili: For Georgia to move forward, it is indeed crucial that all parties engage in dialog. A return to popular vote for presidential elections could help rebuild trust in the democratic process and alleviate tensions. Additionally, it would be advantageous for the government to recognize the validity of public protests and concerns rather than dismissing them. The need for transparency and inclusivity in governance has never been more critical.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Kachrashvili. Your insights illuminate the challenging landscape that Georgia faces today. It will be essential to monitor how these dynamics unfold in the coming months.
Dr. Kachrashvili: Thank you for discussing this vital issue. georgia’s future depends on the commitment to democratic values and the constructive engagement of all its political players.