Georgia Protests: Georgian Nightmare?

[Stellar Colonies]

Protests across Georgia against suspension of EU accession talks enter second week (Euronews)

Critics accuse police of using increasingly violent tactics to disperse the rallies with more than 100 people treated for injuries.

Mass protests in Georgia sparked by the government’s decision to suspend negotiations on joining the European Union have entered a second week, with police cracking down on protesters with increasing force.

Riot police have used water cannons and tear gas to try to break up the nightly rallies and beat scores of protesters, many of whom threw fireworks at officers and built barricades on a central boulevard in the capital Tbilisi.

"I have covered many protests since 2002 and this time it was apparent that we, the journalists, were special targets," said journalist, Guram Rogava.

https://x.com/GuramRogava/status/1864018795162964390

"It was clear that they were deliberately attacking media representatives. This is the policy of Georgian Dream. The government is in such a state that, for some reason, its survival instinct dictates the need to intimidate the media."

Rogava was doing a live broadcast from a protest when a riot policeman rushed up to him and hit him in the head on Friday. He suffered fractured facial bones in the assault.

More than 300 protesters have been detained and over 100 people have been treated for injuries.

One of the protesters, 22-year-old Aleksi Tirqia was placed in an induced coma after he was allegedly hit with a tear gas capsule.

The ruling Georgian Dream retained control of parliament in the disputed 26 October election, a vote widely seen as a referendum on Georgia’s EU aspirations.

The opposition and the pro-Western president, Salome Zourabichvili, have accused the governing party of rigging the vote with the help neighbouring Russia to keep the Moscow-friendly ruling Georgian Dream party in power.

But the protests against the election became angrier and spread beyond Tbilisi after the Georgian Dream’s decision last Thursday to put the EU accession talks on hold until at least 2028.

That was in response to a European Parliament resolution that criticised the elections as neither free nor fair.

It said the election represented another manifestation of Georgia’s continued democratic backsliding "for which the ruling Georgian Dream party is fully responsible."

International observers say they saw instances of violence, bribery and double voting at the polls, prompting some EU lawmakers to demand a re-run.

"Each person who is standing here is fighting. Of course, we want better connections with Europe, with the United States and we don't need Russia. This is the main reason why young people are standing here," said one of the protesters, Tamar Akhvlediami.

The EU granted Georgia candidate status in December 2023 on condition that it meet the bloc's recommendations, but Brussels put that process on hold earlier this year after the passage of a controversial 'foreign influence' law, which was widely seen as a blow to democratic freedoms.

https://x.com/Zourabichvili_S/status/18 ... 3125997009

Critics have also accused Georgian Dream of becoming increasingly authoritarian and tilted toward Moscow. The party recently pushed through laws similar to those used by the Kremlin to crack down on freedom of speech and LGBTQ+ rights.

Georgia's pro-EU President Salome Zourabichvili refused to recognise the election results and contested them before the Constitutional Court, which rejected her appeal earlier this week.

Zourabichvili, who plays a largely ceremonial role, has urged the country's Western partners to respond to police brutality against protesters and raids of opposition groups by putting "strong pressure on a ruling party that is driving the country over the cliff!"

So for about a week now, there have been fierce protests ongoing in Georgia regarding the ruling party (Georgian Dream), among other things, putting plans for accession into the EU on hold until 2028 as per the above article. Under the circumstances with the Russian angle, the apparently pro-EU aspirations of the Georgians protesting, the regime's police reportedly responding violently, and this all going down a tidy decade plus one after 2013 in 2024, there have been quite a few parallels being drawn with Ukraine. Comparisons aside however, this is first and foremost a Georgian crisis.

But what do you think?

[Floofybit]

Doesn't sound very peachy keen

[Repreteop]

Well I guess we know now whos next.

[Distruzio]

I think the CIA has been quite busy in Georgia.

[Stellar Colonies]

Violent protests in Georgia highlight battle over the country's future. Here's why it matters. (CBS News)
By Mariia Kashchenko

Live television coverage showed police in the former Soviet republic of Georgia beating and arresting an opposition leader last week during a raid on his party's offices. The scenes played out on the 10th day of violent clashes in capital city Tbilisi between police and protesters furious about the Georgian prime minister's decision to put talks on joining the European Union on hold.

The unrest that erupted two weeks ago, after months of public frustration over Georgia's future, has caused significant casualties and seen more than 400 people arrested.

Over 100 people have been hospitalized with injuries sustained during clashes with riot police, but the protesters continue taking to the streets of Tbilisi by their thousands every night.

As the protests continue, there's concern the political crisis could escalate into more widespread violence, and there's also concern that a key U.S. partner on the far eastern edge of Europe could shift its political tendencies away from the democratic West and toward Moscow — whether or not its people agree with the move. Below is a look at what led to the unrest, and why the political crisis in the country that straddles Europe and Asia matters to the wider world.

What led to the protests in Georgia?

The protests have been driven largely by what many Georgians see as the governing Georgian Dream party's increasing authoritarian tendencies. In power since 2012, the ruling party led by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili initially promised democratic reforms and closer ties with Europe and the West, including the EU.

Critics argue that over time, the party has shifted toward Russia, undermining many Georgians' aspirations to see their country join the EU.

The government's decision to freeze EU accession talks, and before that, to adopt a controversial "foreign agents" bill similar to legislation in Russia, were both seen as clear evidence of that shift to the east by Georgia's ruling party. There were previous protests over the new law as it went through the approval process, with many fearing it will stifle civil society and media freedom in the country.

The situation deteriorated in November following allegations of voter suppression and election fraud in parliamentary elections. The post-election protests, which grew in size and intensity, were fueled by opposition claims that the government was manipulating the democratic process.

President Salome Zurabishvili, an independent politician, has been among the most vocal critics of the ruling Georgian Dream party over alleged election interference, calling the recent vote a "total fraud." According to the Reuters news agency, two international polling groups from the U.S. agreed with that assessment, calling the results statistically impossible.

On Dec. 3, the country's Constitutional Court rejected Zurabishvili's call to annul the parliamentary election results, further exacerbating the tension on the streets. On the ninth day of the protests she called the actions of the police gross violations of human rights in her post on X.

Georgia's relationship with Russia

The protests in Georgia have highlighted the country's complex, fraught relationship with its much larger neighbor to the north, Russia.

Russia invaded Georgia in 2008 and it continues to occupy the regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

Russia firmly opposes Georgia's aspirations to join both the EU and the U.S.-led NATO military alliance, and it has leveraged both its economic and political influence to try to prevent the country from aligning with the Western institutions.

In an interview with 60 Minutes earlier this year President Zurabishvili called Russia's subtle, yet impactful bid to influence Georgian politics part of a "hybrid war" being waged by Moscow against the West.

She said Russia's tactics included spreading disinformation, exerting economic pressure and manipulating internal politics to prevent Georgia from fully integrating with its European neighbors to the west.

Critics, including the president, highlight the recent adoption of the foreign agents law, which requires all non-profit organizations and media outlets that receive foreign funding to register as "foreign agents" in Georgia, as an example of the ruling party dragging the country closer to Russia's authoritarian model.

Similar laws in Russia, enacted since Vladimir Putin ordered the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, have been used to curb dissent and limit political freedom.

Critics argue that the law represents a major setback for democratic reforms set in motion when Georgia gained its independence from the former Soviet Union, and it was always seen as a significant hurdle to EU membership.

LGBTQ rights in Georgia have also been a contentious issue, with the ruling party and influential religious groups often opposing reforms. Discrimination against LGBTQ people remains widespread, and pride marches are regularly met with violent counterprotests.

The social divide is another point of tension, as many pro-European activists see the protection of minority rights as an essential part of Georgia's future in the EU.

Why does Georgia's political crisis matter to the U.S.?

Georgia's political unrest has important implications for both the European Union and NATO, with Western capitals worried that a move toward Russia and its style of authoritarianism could embolden Moscow as it tries to curb Western influence across the continent.

Georgia has been a critical partner to the U.S. in the South Caucasus region, which straddles the border between Eastern Europe and Asia. If Georgia's government continues shifting its alignment toward Russia, it could undermine U.S. influence.

"Political crisis in Georgia is a significant challenge for the West," Royal United Services Institute associate fellow Natia Seskuria told CBS News. "Georgia has remained one of the most pro-Western countries in the region, with an overwhelming majority of the population supporting the country's integration into the EU and NATO."

Seskuria said the lack of any significant international response to the unrest was likely deepening and prolonging the crisis.

The U.S. State Department suspended its strategic partnership with Georgia at the end of November, citing the country's shift away from European integration.

"The Georgian people overwhelmingly support integration with Europe," the State Department said when it suspended the partnership, adding a condemnation of "the excessive use of force by police against Georgians seeking to exercise their rights to assembly and expression, including their freedom to peacefully protest. We call on all sides to ensure protests remain peaceful."

Seskuria said all eyes in Georgia were on the incoming Trump administration, with many wondering how it might approach the country's political tumult given Mr. Trump's previous remarks praising President Vladimir Putin.

President Zurabishvili, speaking to 60 Minutes in June, expressed her frustration with what she deemed lackluster U.S. support for the peaceful protests against Russian-sympathetic political forces in her country.

"I think that some more public recognition is needed," she said.

[Almighty Biden]

Are they going to declare martial law too? Dang everything is going wrong this year.

[My Globe]

Georgian protesters are not peaceful: they use lasers, fireworks, do other riotous things; There are some wounded among the police.
If you use violence, you should not whine when the opposite camp uses violence too.

In fact, the regime is acting softly. Because it, to a certain extent, also has cooperation with the West in mind: the difference between the government and the opposition is that the government is, say, 50% pro-Western, and the opposition is 146% pro-Western.

[The Lone Alliance]

The Georgian dream is surprised that the Georgian people don't see a bright happy future as Russian slaves which is what they want for the Country? Big Surprise

[My Globe]

The Georgian dream is surprised that the Georgian people don't see a bright happy future as Russian slaves which is what they want for the Country? Big Surprise

Russian slavery is when you're neutral and not 100% pro-Western.

The rioting crowd is the People.

[Durius]

There is not much surprise about what is happening. The EU's criteria for accession are very strict and it has no room to soften them and Russia is using that to destroy the European aspirations of the Georgia people through their Russian-friendly elite. And I think there is not much outsiders in the West can do. This is a war that the Georgians will likely have to fight themselves.

However, I think it's relevant to note that this hybrid war that Russia is waging is not just aimed at Georgia proper. Abkhazians too for weeks went to the streets to protest an unpopular investment deal with Russia that the governing Russian-friendly elites were trying to push. Now that the deal as broken down, Russia suspended financial aid and hiked energy prices, leaving the breakaway region with an energy crisis and being forced to enforce rolling blackouts.

[Kvatchdom]

Georgian protesters are not peaceful: they use lasers, fireworks, do other riotous things; There are some wounded among the police.
If you use violence, you should not whine when the opposite camp uses violence too.

In fact, the regime is acting softly. Because it, to a certain extent, also has cooperation with the West in mind: the difference between the government and the opposition is that the government is, say, 50% pro-Western, and the opposition is 146% pro-Western.

These methods are moderate compared to what this new government signifies for the future of Georgians, they do not want to be a Russian satellite state. I hope they start doing more in fact.

[My Globe]

These methods are moderate compared to what this new government signifies for the future of Georgians, they do not want to be a Russian satellite state. I hope they start doing more in fact.

Why do people like you always say that
a) Such political forces, which are in fact forces of balance, are 100% pro-Russian
b) Having such a government is pestilence and ruin

[Durius]

The so-called "forces of balance" are set to end the independence of the presidency and nominate a far-right loyalist...

This is not a rebellion by the Georgian people, this a fight against the palatial coup that government is staging against the nation and its institutions.

edit: typo corrections

[Tinhampton]

The President has said she will not leave office, even though she is due to be termed out later this month. I would not be surprised if military force were used to ensure that her successor were installed in due course.

[Kvatchdom]

These methods are moderate compared to what this new government signifies for the future of Georgians, they do not want to be a Russian satellite state. I hope they start doing more in fact.

Why do people like you always say that
a) Such political forces, which are in fact forces of balance, are 100% pro-Russian
b) Having such a government is pestilence and ruin

The forces of balance will turn the nation into a Russian tourist destination with horrible wages and no upwards mobility, they will sell all resources and land to Russian oligarchs. This is pestilence and ruin.

[Qaumodeen]

Idk why they want to join the EU. They will just become cheap labour for German factories lol

[The Lone Alliance]

Idk why they want to join the EU. They will just become cheap labour for German factories lol

Better than whatever Russia could offer.

[Turenia]

Ideally, western security services would help to engineer a coup in Georgia.

But sadly, these days, the west is too afraid of the PR blowback to do anything concrete.

[Slembana]

Ideally, western security services would help to engineer a coup in Georgia.

But sadly, these days, the west is too afraid of the PR blowback to do anything concrete.

A coup d’état won’t help. Western-backed coups are bad and so is the new far-right president.

[Turenia]

Ideally, western security services would help to engineer a coup in Georgia.

But sadly, these days, the west is too afraid of the PR blowback to do anything concrete.

A coup d’état won’t help. Western-backed coups are bad and so is the new far-right president.

A coup might help. Western-backed coups are better than Russian-backed ones.

[Slembana]

A coup d’état won’t help. Western-backed coups are bad and so is the new far-right president.

A coup might help. Western-backed coups are better than Russian-backed ones.

I’d prefer no coups.

[Durius]

A coup might help. Western-backed coups are better than Russian-backed ones.

I’d prefer no coups.

That's too sensible and smart a policy.

[Kerwa]

Idk why they want to join the EU. They will just become cheap labour for German factories lol

Lol. But also lmao.

[Turenia]

A coup might help. Western-backed coups are better than Russian-backed ones.

I’d prefer no coups.

That's a fair point.

I'd rather that the west take at least some initiative to prevent Georgia from slipping further and further into the clutches of the Asiatic Empire.

[Perpetual Resistance]

I’d prefer no coups.

That's a fair point.

I'd rather that the west take at least some initiative to prevent Georgia from slipping further and further into the clutches of the Asiatic Empire.

What's the Asiatic Empire?