Georgian Dream VS Georgia’s European Dream

by Mariam Varazashvili

Tbilisi, the heart of Georgia, has become a battleground for the country’s future. In recent days, thousands of citizens have taken to the streets to protest the government’s decision to halt progress on the European Union accession talks. Clashes between demonstrators and police highlight the tensions, with protesters accusing the ruling Georgian Dream party of steering the nation away from its Western aspirations and toward a dangerous alignment with Russia. Hence, it’s a fight not just for EU integration, but for the survival of democracy in Georgia.

Eurointegration has been a long road for Georgians and today, once again, we see a nation united in protest. The European path is championed by its citizens and civil society, not by the government. Chanting “traitors” and waving EU flags, the streets of Tbilisi are full of demonstrators demanding accountability from leaders who have betrayed the will of the Georgian people. Public polling consistently shows that almost 80% of Georgians support EU integration, which is enshrined in the country’s constitution, Article 78: “The constitutional bodies shall take all measures within the scope of their competences to ensure the full integration of Georgia into the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.”

President Salome Zourabishvili has emerged as a symbol of resistance, joining protesters and directly addressing police officers during the demonstrations. She declared solidarity with the movement and vowed to fight for Georgia’s return to its European path. “This resistance has begun,” she said. “We will remain united until Georgia achieves its goals.” Meanwhile, over 100 diplomats and civil servants signed an open letter condemning the government’s actions and resigning in protest. As a response to the Georgian government’s actions, the US suspended its strategic partnership with Georgia. The government’s response to angry citizens demanding Georgia’s return to the Eurointegration path is brutal. Tear gas, water cannons, and riot police using excessive force against protesters is the reality Georgia woke up to today. Over 100 demonstrators were arrested in one night on November 29th. The desperation to consolidate power at all costs is evident in targeting not only civilians but journalists as well. Several journalists covering the demonstration are severely injured.

These protests are not just a reaction to the government’s particular actions, but their growing alignment with Russia and its deliberate stalling of Georgia’s European future. The ruling party, Georgian Dream, under the influence of oligarch founder Bidzina Ivanishvili, has prioritized ties with Moscow over the will of its people, risking the historic opportunity of EU accession. Prime Minister Kobakhidze defended the decision to delay accession until 2028, accusing EU legislators of “blackmail” and claiming Georgia would seek membership “with dignity.” However, this rhetoric has failed to calm public outrage and is far from treating the Georgian people with dignity. While on paper, the government publicly pledges allegiance to the EU integration process with the slogan “Only with peace, dignity, prosperity towards Europe”, its actions weaken the democratic principles that are important to the foundation of EU values, placing Georgia’s EU aspirations in jeopardy. The decision to delay EU integration risks isolating Georgia from its allies and undermining decades of progress.

At Geopolitical Crossroads

Why is isolation from the Western world such a significant threat to Georgia’s sovereignty? The country has endured centuries of Russian influence, a presence still active through “creeping borders” and the occupation of Georgian territories. A year after gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1992, the nascent Republic of Georgia experienced a devastating war in Abkhazia, fueled by Russian intervention. In 2008, Russia once again violated Georgia’s sovereignty, invading and occupying additional territory. The wounds from these conflicts remain fresh in Georgia’s recent history, with thousands of families still forcibly displaced as a result of these wars.

The Georgian Dream party has exploited this collective national trauma in its pre-election campaigns, portraying itself as a guarantor of peace within the country. However, this is the same government that arrests and violently suppresses protesters who dare to oppose its policies. Given this context, Georgia remains acutely vulnerable to Kremlin-backed threats. EU membership is not merely a matter of idealism or unwavering faith in EU institutions, it is a vital necessity for ensuring the stability and sovereignty of the Georgian state. This clash between civil society and the government is not just a domestic concern but a regional and geopolitical issue. As the war in Ukraine reshapes Eastern Europe’s political landscape, the EU has returned the eastern enlargement to the agenda as a means of stabilizing its borders. While Ukraine and Moldova proceed with the accession talks, Georgia’s candidacy status has been frozen. Georgia, once seen as a frontrunner among Eastern Partnership countries, now lags behind. The EU’s message is clear: democratic backsliding will not be overlooked.

The EU’s Role in Defending Democracy

Days before the Georgian parliamentary elections, President Macron stated that the Georgian government’s actions could lead to the suspension of EU accession, he also highlighted the importance of the elections: “The Georgian people will have to express their choice in a few days”. Hence, the elections were a moment of high hopes and higher disappointments. Georgians did make a choice, but were the elections a true illustration of it? While the government celebrated its narrow victory, civil society decried the process as neither free nor fair, publishing reports of voter intimidation and misuse of administrative resources. Believing that the elections would be the endgame, Georgian citizens found their votes stolen and hopes faded. Additionally, the fragmented nature of Georgia’s opposition parties has made it difficult to translate their demands into political action. The European Parliament supported the resolution, condemning the Georgian parliamentary elections of October 26. It does not recognize the results and demands the sanctioning of the leaders of the Georgian Dream.

The resolution must be translated into action. During the plenary session in the European Parliament, the vice president of the European Commission, Margaritis Schinas, stated: “Many of them were waving the European flag, and when we see the European flag in the hands of protesters, we know that this is also about us, not only about them”. Hence, the EU must actively support civil society in Georgia and guarantee that the government is held accountable for its democratic shortcomings to truly expand its influence in Eastern Europe. Now with the citizens fighting for their true choice, the stakes could not be higher. Georgia’s EU candidacy is not just about geopolitics, it is also about the future of its democracy more than ever. The EU has the power to help Georgia, not just by offering promises of future membership but by taking concrete steps to prevent the democratic decay we are witnessing today. The EU must use its influence to ensure that Georgian citizens’ voices are heard and respected. This means more than just political statements, it means holding the Georgian government to account for its actions.

As a Georgian, I have witnessed firsthand the resilience of my country’s civil society. This resilience offers hope, even in the face of adversity. Although the path to EU accession is undeniably long and difficult, it is a path worth taking. For the EU, it is an opportunity to demonstrate that its doors remain open to those who embrace its values, not just in words, but in deeds. For Georgia’s civil society, it is a moment to show that the fight for democracy and the country’s European future is not only necessary but possible. For now, the streets of Tbilisi remain a powerful reminder of a people unwilling to compromise on their future. The protests have made one thing clear: the Georgian people will not give up their dream of a European future without a fight.

Image source: Vakho Kareli for Aprili Media (header)