Protests continue in Tbilisi against the decision of “Georgian Dream” not to raise the issue of opening negotiations with the European Union from Georgia until the end of 2028. Disagreement with the results of the presidential elections has been added to the protesters’ agenda since yesterday. Georgia’s opposition parties declared them illegitimate, accusing the ruling Georgian Dream party of organizing a “constitutional coup”. They are demanding new, fair elections, arguing that the parliament formed based on the results of the previous elections does not have the power to elect the president. Activists are being detained.
Yesterday evening, in front of the parliament building, protesters greeted Salome Zurabishvili with applause and congratulatory shouts, who consider “the only president of Georgia, the supreme commander of the Georgian defense forces and the highest representative of the country in foreign relations”. This happened after her post on social media, where she sharply criticized the actions of the ruling party. Zurabishvili wrote that “the parliament, similar to the central committee, chooses a single candidate, making a mockery of democracy.” She also assured that this will not stop Georgia’s aspirations to the European path and a democratic future.
The powers of the head of state in Georgia were limited
Political crisis in Georgia gradually gained momentum due to constitutional changes starting in 2017. That year, the parliament, where the ruling Georgian Dream party had a majority, adopted reforms that changed the procedure for electing the president. The country was transformed into a parliamentary republic, which caused a significant limitation of the powers of the head of state.
In the 2018 presidential elections, the citizens of Georgia elected the president by direct vote for the last time. The victory was won by Salome Zurabishvili, who at that time had the support of “Georgian Dream”. However, later her relations with the ruling party deteriorated significantly. Zurabishvili, known for her pro-European position, gradually distanced herself from the political course of the party, which her opponents accused of being pro-Russian.
These changes not only limited the political influence of the president, but also contributed to the growing tension between the various branches of government. The current situation demonstrates a deep split in Georgian politics: on the one hand, there is a Western-oriented president, and on the other, a party that is gradually moving away from democratic standards.
The Georgian political crisis has become a manifestation of a broader challenge facing the countries of the post-Soviet space: the struggle between the desire for European integration and the influence of Russia, which seeks to maintain its control in the region.
Presidential elections according to the new order
The current presidential elections in Georgia were held according to a new procedure. For the first time, the head of state was elected by an electoral college consisting of 300 people. Half of the collegium was made up of 150 deputies of the newly elected parliament, and the other half – 150 delegates from the regions of the country.
It is clear that such a system practically excluded the possibility of victory for the candidate from the opposition. The ruling party “Georgian Dream” won a majority in the parliament and significant influence in the regions, which gave it an advantage in forming the composition of the electoral college.
The new election procedure has caused concern among the opposition and public activists, who consider it another step towards the concentration of power in the hands of the ruling party. At the same time, this process was seen as a challenge for the democratic development of the country, because it further limited the participation of citizens in the elections of the head of state.
Georgia, which seeks integration into Europe, faces criticism from international partners who call for transparency and fairness of election processes. This development only deepens the political crisis in the country, where the split between the government and society is becoming more and more obvious.
Georgia has postponed negotiations on joining the EU
Prime Minister of Georgia Iraklii Kobakhidze announced the government’s decision not to start negotiations on joining the European Union until the end of 2028. During a briefing in Tbilisi, he emphasized that the country also refuses all grants and loans provided by the EU, emphasizing the desire for independence.
“We are a proud nation with a rich history, and it is unacceptable for us to view EU integration as a mercy,” – stated Kobakhidze, adding that by 2028, Georgia will be economically ready to start negotiations, with the prospect of accession in 2030.
This statement caused a significant response, because only a year ago, in December 2023, Georgia received the official status of a candidate for joining the EU. This status was perceived as an important step on the way to European integration, which is a priority for a large part of Georgian society.
The postponement of negotiations and the refusal of European financial support cast doubt on the sincerity of the ruling party “Georgian Dream” to continue moving towards the EU. The opposition and critics are already calling this decision part of a course for rapprochement with Russia and a departure from democratic standards.
Uncertainty about Georgia’s European future causes concern both among the country’s citizens and among international partners, because against the background of Moscow’s growing influence, the prospect of European integration remains critically important for the stability of the region.
The infographic shows that Georgian society is steadily aspiring to join the EU, despite internal political crises or external challenges. This confirms the European choice as a strategic reference point for the majority of Georgians.
Infographic: IA “FACT”
The opposition appealed to the European Union
After the approval of Mikheil Kavelashvili, the candidate of the Georgian Dream party, as the new president of the country, the four largest opposition parties of Georgia turned to to the European Union. The letter is addressed to the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs Kai Kalas and the ministers of foreign affairs of the EU countries. It was signed by opposition leaders: Nika Melia (“Coalition for Change”), Tina Bokuchava (“Unity – National Movement”), Mamuka Khazaradze (“Strong Georgia”) and Zaza Tavadze (“Gakharia for Georgia”).
The opposition called on the European Union to recognize the “self-proclaimed regime” of Bidzina Ivanishvili as illegitimate due to the political crisis in the country. They noted that the presidential election, in which Kavelashvili became the head of state, only worsened the situation, as the candidate for power was an active initiator of laws restricting freedoms, in particular the law on “foreign agents”, and often spread anti-Western propaganda.
In the appeal, the opposition forces called on the European Union to take urgent action to support democracy in Georgia. Among the demands: the immediate release of detained politicians and activists, the introduction of sanctions against persons involved in political repression, the termination of the visa-free regime for officials of the “Georgian Dream” government, as well as the condemnation of violence against protesters and journalists.
Who is Mikhail Kavelashvili?
The ex-football player, whose nomination as a candidate for the presidency of Georgia was unanimously supported by the Georgian Dream party. In the 90s, Kavelashvili played for Manchester City, Russian and Swiss clubs, as well as Dynamo (Tbilisi), where he became the champion of Georgia six times. His political path, connected with the Georgian Dream deputy, began in 2016 and was marked by a struggle with pro-Western President Mikheil Saakashvili.
Kavelashvili is positioned as a “people’s candidate who opposes Western influence.” Representatives of the party behind him claim that Kavelashvili will “serve exclusively the interests of the homeland”, excluding any mistakes or external influences.
Party leader Bidzina Ivanishvili, an oligarch with a Russian background, stated, that Kavelashvili will serve the Georgian people, not “foreign power”, and restore “the dignity of the institution of the president”. The opposition instead called this step “the beginning of the darkest times” for the country.
Ana Dolidze from the “Strong Georgia” coalition sarcastically compared Kavelashvili to “Caligula’s horse”, pointing to the decline of the institution of the presidency. Mikheil Saakashvili, ex-president and long-time enemy of Kavelashvili, said that Georgia has entered the “stage of destruction of statehood”, especially due to threats from the opposition.
Since 2022, Kavelashvili has been a member of the anti-Western movement “People’s Power”, which separated from “Georgian Dream”. The leaders of this movement blame the opposition and Saakashvili for the 2008 war with Russia and spread conspiracy theories about the “Global War Party” which allegedly supports the conflicts through pro-European politicians. Kavelashvili himself also distinguished himself with provocative and anti-Western statements.
Thus, his nomination caused an aggravation of the confrontation between the authorities and the opposition. As of December 15, 2024, the European Union has not officially commented on the nomination of Mykhailo Kavelashvili as a candidate for the presidency of Georgia from the Georgian Dream party.
