Georgia’s government has suspended talks with the European Union on joining the bloc until at least 2028, sparking widespread protests across the country. The decision has raised concerns about the erosion of liberal democracy in Georgia and its alignment with Russia.
The suspension of EU membership talks comes amid a global power struggle over Georgia’s place in the world order. The protesters, along with the European Union and the United States, are pushing for a more democratic society aligned with Western values. In contrast, the ruling party, Georgian Dream, is cracking down on liberal democracy while aligning itself with Vladimir Putin’s Russia.
Over the past year, Georgian Dream has taken several undemocratic actions, including crackdowns on LGBTQ rights, civil society, and press organizations. These laws have sparked protests among citizens who fear that Georgia is moving further away from European-style liberal democracy and toward autocracy.
The stakes for Georgian democracy are high, as Georgian Dream appears to be embracing authoritarian tactics to remain in power. The EU accession plan is a powerful barrier to this trend, and its suspension has made Georgia more vulnerable to Russia’s influence.
Experts warn that Georgia’s fate may not be aligned with the West, but rather with Belarus, a Russia-aligned Eastern European state ruled by dictator Aleksandr Lukashenko. Sam Greene, director of Democratic Resilience at the Center for European Policy Analysis, notes that Moscow sees Georgia as a test case to demonstrate its ability to maintain regional hegemony even after significant depredations.
The EU’s response has been less firm, with some experts arguing that the bloc’s lack of clarity and consensus on this issue weakens its position in the world. Natalie Sabanadze, senior researcher at Chatham House, notes that the EU’s stance is a “big blow” to its normative power, which was once a key part of its identity.
The decision to suspend EU membership talks is not just about Russia vs. the West; it’s also about Georgia’s internal struggle for democracy and human rights. The country has never fully transitioned to a consolidated democratic system, instead adopting a hybrid regime that uses democratic processes to consolidate power for a select few.
Source: https://www.vox.com/world-politics/389362/georgia-protests-eu-georgian-dream-russia