2024-11-29 14:02:00
“Do you serve Georgia or Russia?” The image of the little president of Georgia, Salomé Zurabishvili, pronouncing this sentence in front of a group of riot police protected by helmets and shields reflects the clash of legitimacy and political leadership that the Caucasian country has been experiencing since the elections of 26 October which the situation was reconfirmed by the populist and increasingly pro-Russian Georgian Dream party in power, but which have not been recognized either by the opposition or by the head of state who accuse the authorities of massive fraud. The country’s critical situation was once again shaken by the Government’s announcement to suspend the process of joining the European Union until 2028, which threw the most pro-European sectors of the Georgian population into the streets in a protest that culminated in riots and was harshly repressed by the police, with dozens injured and at least 43 arrested.
this Thursday, Georgian Prime Minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, was confirmed by Parliament and his first announcement was that his government will suspend “until 2028” the opening of EU accession negotiations, and also “any financial support by the EU”. It does so by accusing Brussels of having transformed the process into “blackmail” contrary to the ”traditional values” of Georgia. The Georgian president assured that his country will continue with some technical reforms and that it will be “economically” ready to be included in the community group by 2030, but will not meet the political or democratic reform requirements requested by Brussels.
The Georgian Dream (SG) came to power in 2012 with a center-left and pro-European program, but over the years it has taken an ultra-conservative turn similar to that of Viktor Orbán in Hungary, has pursued an increasingly authoritarian policy and has aligned itself with Kremlin strategies. In December 2023, the EU granted Georgia the status of a candidate country for membership, thanks to the great support for European integration among the population (according to polls, more than 80% of the population supports it). However, last summer, Brussels froze the process due to the passing of repressive laws such as those on foreign agents and LGBTI propaganda, both of which were Russian-inspired.
The decision to interrupt the accession process announced by kobakhidze was branded as “unconstitutional” in an open letter already signed by more than a hundred diplomats and employees of the Georgian Foreign Ministry. The same SG executive and the opposition have reformed the Magna carta over the last ten years and have included an article requiring institutions to “adopt all measures […] ensure the complete integration of Georgia into the European Union”. The EU ambassador to Georgia, pawel Herczynski, regretted the government’s decision, which he called “regrettable”.“today we woke up to a completely new reality,” he said at a press conference this Friday.
As soon as Kobakhidze’s announcement was announced, tens of thousands of people took to the streets in the country’s major cities on Thursday evening, but were met with a harsh response from the police. The Young Lawyers association of Georgia denounced an attitude that “violates international standards and local regulations” as officers used tear gas and trucks with water hoses mixed with chemicals to disperse protesters without provocation.
The Interior Ministry, however, assures that onyl “special methods permitted by law” were used and that the protesters threw glass bottles, stones and fireworks at the officers, causing 32 injuries, of which one remained hospitalized on Friday . President Zurabishvili joined thousands of protesters in Tbilisi, the capital; He openly criticized the agents and accused the government of “declaring war on its people.”
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili approaches riot police who refuse to speak to her. Do you serve Georgia or Russia? Zourabichvili asks an officer. pic.twitter.com/EGbp5GijFk
— Formula NEWS | english (@FormulaGe) November 28, 2024
The opposition, actually, does not recognize the legitimacy of the government as, it claims, parliament currently does not have the power to elect the prime minister. In the October 26 elections, the SG received 54% of the vote, well above what the polls and the party itself had predicted. In the following days and weeks, the opposition, several associations and media outlets not aligned with the government revealed data and practices indicating the manipulation of elections in some provinces as a way to ensure a sufficient majority for re-election. Indeed, some local courts have even called for investigations or partial annulments of the results, but the highest levels of the judiciary – where the ruling party’s influence is greatest – have reversed these decisions.
Thus the four opposition coalitions that obtained parliamentary depiction refused to collect thier minutes and asked the Electoral Commission to cancel their lists. In this Chamber, out of 150 seats, only the 89 deputies of the SG are present. Article 38 of the Constitution specifies that Parliament acquires “full powers” only when it is indeed “recognized” by two thirds of its members, i.e. at least 100; Even though sources from the ruling party claim that the same article recognizes that the Chamber can begin to function with a simple majority.
In turn, the SG government also does not recognize the legitimacy of the president, whom it accuses of having deviated from her representative functions by aligning herself completely with the opposition. Zurabishvili was elected in 2018 by popular vote and with the support of the SG, but distanced herself from the party due to its rapprochement with Russia. His mandate expires in December and, given that the country has completed the transition to a parliamentary system, Zurabishvili’s successor will be elected on the 14th by an electoral college composed of members of the House and local and regional representatives, among whom SG has the majority. This same week, the ruling party announced that its presidential candidate will be Mikheil Kavelashvili, a former footballer and former SG deputy in Parliament, where he stood out for anti-Western speeches and for promoting the foreign agents law.
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How might Georgia’s shift towards Russia impact its relationship with the European Union in the coming years?
Interview between Time.news editor and Political Analyst on Georgia’s Political Turmoil
Time.news Editor: Welcome too Time.news. Today, we’re diving into the turbulent political landscape of Georgia, where recent events have led to significant unrest and a stark shift in government policy. Joining me is Dr. Ana Petrov, a renowned political analyst specializing in Eastern European affairs. Thank you for being here,Dr. Petrov.
Dr. Ana Petrov: Thank you for having me. Its a crucial time for Georgia, and I’m glad to discuss these developments.
Editor: Absolutely. The recent elections on October 26 and the subsequent confirmation of Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze have drawn widespread attention.Can you tell us more about the implications of his declaration to suspend EU accession talks until 2028?
Dr. Petrov: Kobakhidze’s announcement is a critical turning point. It signals a significant deviation from the pro-European stance that has characterized Georgia’s trajectory for over a decade. This move not only undermines public sentiment—where more than 80% support EU membership—but also raises serious concerns about the country’s commitment to democratic and political reforms aligned with EU standards.
Editor: You mentioned public sentiment. how has the public reacted to these developments, especially given the backdrop of massive protests and police brutality?
Dr. Petrov: The public response has been overwhelmingly resolute. Following the announcement, tens of thousands took to the streets, demonstrating their discontent despite facing a violent crackdown from riot police. This reaction illustrates the dissonance between the government’s direction and the will of the people, who have historically favored integration with Europe. The government’s response to these protests raises questions about their grip on power and willingness to engage with civil society.
Editor: The government has accused the EU of blackmailing Georgia while also aligning itself more closely with Russia. What dynamics do you see at play here?
Dr. Petrov: The situation is indeed complex.The Georgian Dream party, under Kobakhidze, seems to be echoing rhetoric that aligns more with Kremlin narratives, particularly regarding traditional values and national sovereignty. This shift mirrors the ultra-conservative strategies seen in some Eastern European countries. While the government frames their stance as a defense of nationalism, it appears to diminish Georgia’s long-standing aspirations for European integration and could possibly jeopardize its sovereignty further in the sphere of Russian influence.
Editor: That’s an insightful viewpoint. The opposition has termed the government’s decision “unconstitutional.” How do you assess the stability of governance in Georgia moving forward?
Dr. Petrov: The label of “unconstitutional” is significant and reflects deeper divisions within Georgian society. It suggests that the government is facing not just external pressures from the EU and the public, but also internal dissent from a political class that may not support this regression. If the opposition continues to unify and mobilize the public, we might see an increasing challenge to the government’s authority.The coming months will be crucial in determining whether the current leadership can maintain its grip or if we will witness a resurgence of pro-European civil movements.
Editor: Before we wrap up, what do you believe the future holds for Georgia’s international relations, particularly with the EU and Russia?
Dr. Petrov: Georgia’s future hangs in a delicate balance. If the government continues down this path, it risks losing not just EU support, but also invaluable economic and political partnerships. On the other hand, an alignment with Russia could lead to certain short-term gains, but would ultimately compromise Georgia’s aspirations for sovereignty and modernization. the pressure from citizens who desire a European future could catalyze significant change, but it depends on how resolutely they confront the government’s authoritarian turn.
Editor: Thank you, Dr.Petrov, for your insights. The situation in georgia is indeed precarious, and we will be following these developments closely. Your expertise sheds valuable light on a rapidly evolving story.
Dr. Petrov: Thank you for having me. It’s a pivotal moment for Georgia, and I hope for a peaceful resolution that respects the people’s aspirations.
Editor: And thank you to our audience for tuning in. Stay updated with us for more on this developing story.