Georgia

by Eduardo del Buey

Georgia

The war between the West and Russia has recently found a new home, Georgia.

Sometimes considered a transcontinental country, it is located at the intersection of Eastern Europe and West Asia and is generally regarded as part of Europe today.

It is bordered to the north and northeast by Russia, to the south by Turkey and Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan.

The accession of Georgia to the European Union (EU) is on the agenda for future enlargement of the EU. Following Georgia’s application in March 2022, the EU agreed to recognize Georgia's eligibility to become a potential member of the Union.

However, the recently elected government has suspended accession negotiations and is veering towards closer relations with Russia.

According to France24, Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze pledged on Thursday to stamp out the “liberal fascism” he claimed was fuelling the mass anti-government protests that have roiled the country for more than a week, using language reminiscent of that used by the Kremlin in Russia to target political opponents.

The comments come a day after masked police officers raided several opposition party headquarters and arrested opposition leaders.

There is ample proof that Russia intervened massively to rig the election, leading the ceremonial president to decide to remain in office after her term expires this month and to lead the fight against authoritarianism and pro-Russian policies.

According to the BBC, Salome Zourabichvili, who has sided with the opposition, described the current parliament as "illegitimate" after the electoral fraud allegations.

Zourabichvili said she would retain her role as president, despite the country's newly elected parliament saying it would choose her replacement on 14 December.

Mass protests in the capital are continuing for a fifth consecutive night on Saturday in the capital Tbilisi.

"I'm offering this stability for the transition because what these people on the streets are demanding is a call for new elections to restore this country and its European path," said Zourabichvili.

Hundreds of civil servants have signed letters expressing their disapproval of the government's decision to suspend negotiations with the EU, saying it went against Georgia’s national interests. Georgian ambassadors to Bulgaria, the Netherlands, and Italy have also resigned.

The US said on Saturday that it was suspending its strategic partnership with Georgia, citing the government's "various anti-democratic actions".

The protesters, bolstered by huge numbers of young people, have energy and will eventually wear out police officers, says Vano Abramishvili, an analyst. “They are in a zugzwang,” he said, using a chess term for a position in which every move is losing. “There is no soft way out of this anymore.”

The protests in Georgia underscore the critical role of civil society in advocating for democratic governance. Various NGOs, student groups, and grassroots organizations are pivotal in mobilizing support and raising awareness about the implications of foreign agents—primarily Russians—playing a central role in the country's developments.

Social media has once again been a powerful tool for activists, enabling them to organize protests, share information, and highlight instances of government repression.

The protests also highlight the generational divide in Georgian society.

Young people have emerged as the movement's driving force. Their activism reflects a broader desire for change and a rejection of the old political guard.

The protests represent a significant chapter in the nation’s ongoing journey toward democracy and self-determination. Fueled by broad dissatisfaction with the ruling party, the protests have united citizens from diverse backgrounds in a collective call for accountability, transparency, and respect for civil liberties.

This movement embodies a deeper yearning for democratic governance and social justice that resonates throughout the region.

The outcome of the protests may influence Georgia’s foreign relations, particularly its aspirations for integration with the European Union and NATO.

A robust civil society and a commitment to democratic principles often require closer ties with Western institutions. As the world watches, the Georgian government’s response to the unrest could shape its international standing and future trajectory.

Russia’s Vladimir Putin stands against having a vibrant and wealthy democracy on his border, especially when his stated objective is to recover all of the old Soviet territories.

As Georgia navigates this pivotal moment, the actions and success of these protests will likely resonate far beyond its borders.

They will continue reminding the world of the enduring spirit of democracy and the importance of civil society in shaping the future.

They will also underscore that Russian meddling can be fought successfully if societies are galvanized to demonstrate their strength and fight for their freedom.