Bidzina Ivanishvili, once seen as a symbol of hope for Georgia, now faces growing discontent as his party, ‘Georgian Dream,’ consolidates power following controversial election results. Protests erupted after the government announced a halt to EU accession negotiations, with demonstrators echoing calls for resignation reminiscent of past uprisings. As civil servants begin to withdraw support, President Zurabishvili leads the resistance, urging international backing while concerns mount over potential government repression and increased Russian influence.
For over a decade, Bidzina Ivanishvili was viewed as a beacon of hope for Georgia. Yet, as he tightens his grip on power, the discontent among the populace and civil servants continues to grow.
Up until Thursday, it appeared that the ‘Georgian Dream’ party had successfully navigated the contentious election results from October 26 and was poised to enter its fourth consecutive term unscathed.
The Central Election Commission granted Ivanishvili’s party an overwhelming majority of 89 parliamentary seats, while the opposition garnered just 61, igniting widespread dissatisfaction. However, only a few thousand rallied behind the opposition, led by President Salome Zurabishvili.
When the ‘Georgian Dream’ party convened parliament unconstitutionally and appointed a new government without the opposition, only a few hundred people protested outside the building on Rustaveli Boulevard. The momentum of the protest movement seemed to have waned.
The Breaking Point
However, Ivanishvili’s leadership took a drastic turn that may have crossed a critical line: Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced that negotiations with the EU regarding accession would be halted until the end of 2028, well after the next parliamentary elections.
Kobakhidze later clarified that Georgia still aims for EU membership by 2030, but the public’s faith in these claims has dwindled. While the government touts EU membership as a goal, it has failed to take meaningful action, particularly in areas that would promote equitable power distribution within the country.
Once Kobakhidze’s announcement spread, citizens took to the streets in increasing numbers. Since that day, nightly gatherings have proliferated in front of the parliament in Tbilisi and in cities such as Batumi, as well as in other towns across the nation.
Outburst of Anger
This past Saturday, the crowd outside the parliament swelled, reminiscent of the protests against the ‘foreign influence’ law earlier this year. Calls for resignation echoed through the streets, drawing parallels to the mass demonstrations of 2012 that enabled Ivanishvili to establish his party and shift the power dynamics of the country.
Despite maintaining a majority in elections against a fractured and often criticized opposition, the ruling party has exhibited increasingly authoritarian tendencies, seemingly inspired by figures like Vladimir Putin and Hungary’s Viktor Orban.
Tensions have escalated in Georgia following the announcement to delay EU accession discussions:
Who Will Endure?
The government has repeatedly resorted to violence to quell protests, specifically targeting activists, politicians, and journalists. Demonstrators have equipped themselves with ski goggles, raincoats, and gas masks in preparation for tear gas and water cannons.
In response, they have begun throwing water bottles and fireworks at law enforcement, who have retaliated with insults over loudspeakers. On Sunday night, protesters broke windows and constructed barricades, while police attempted to clear Rustaveli Boulevard in waves.
By Sunday morning, protesters regrouped at the State University on nearby Chavchavadze Boulevard, where taxi drivers blocked roads to hinder police advances, and local residents provided food and drinks.
What Comes Next?
There is growing anxiety about how the situation will unfold: Will the government attempt to suppress dissent as Alexander Lukashenko did in Belarus in 2021? Could the protests extend for weeks, destabilizing the nation similarly to the 2013 ‘Maidan’ protests in Ukraine, potentially inviting Russian intervention?
Alternatively, is there a possibility for the populace to orchestrate a peaceful transition of power, akin to Armenia’s 2018 revolution when the sheer volume of protesters overwhelmed the security forces?
Following the controversial veto, the Georgian government has one last chance to retract the ‘agent law.’
Civil Disobedience Rising
In recent developments, numerous civil servants have begun to distance themselves from the government. This shift started with diplomats and resignations from ambassadors citing Article 78 of the Constitution, which emphasizes Georgia’s commitment to ‘Euro-Atlantic integration.’
Defense Ministry employees have voiced their intentions to act constitutionally, signaling their unwillingness to take action against their fellow citizens. This wave of discontent has also spread to judges, public service employees, central bank staff, and those affiliated with various sectors, including universities and government-backed media. President Zurabishvili remarked on the emergence of a ‘powerful movement of civil disobedience.’
Following the elections, President Zurabishvili called for protests alongside the opposition, drawing thousands into the streets.
Presidential Challenge to the Government
Zurabishvili is now working to orchestrate the resistance. On Saturday, the independent leader announced her intention to remain in office beyond her term’s end on December 14 until a legitimate parliament is established, capable of forming a new government and electing a new president.
Both Zurabishvili and opposition leaders have been urging support from the EU and the USA, though these entities have been perceived as hesitant. Meanwhile, government-affiliated media and Russian intelligence figures have claimed that the West is instigating a ‘Maidan-style’ uprising.
In response, the US State Department has suspended its strategic partnership with Georgia, albeit this move is largely symbolic. The new EU foreign affairs representative, Kaja Kallas, announced potential ‘direct consequences’ in the morning.
The opposition is currently deliberating new protest actions and is hopeful for backing from the EU and the USA.
Ivanishvili’s Threat to Stability
While the opposition has yet to present a credible alternative for the majority, it is increasingly evident that Ivanishvili is steering the country into deeper turmoil.
Driven by the conviction that his safety hinges on maintaining power at all costs, Ivanishvili’s actions are exacerbating Georgia’s vulnerability to Russian influence, as noted by Giorgi Gacharia, a former minister under Ivanishvili who now leads an opposition party. Having once operated as a businessman in Russia during the 1990s, Ivanishvili recognizes the dangers posed by Putin; however, rather than fostering stability, he is pushing Georgia to the brink.
This unfolding situation has been reported by tagesschau24 on December 1, 2024, at 3:00 PM.