Georgian Dream has claimed victory in a contested election, sparking protests and a constitutional crisis. The EU is now under pressure to support Georgians’ democratic and European aspirations while working to prevent further escalation and potential violence.
Russia’s war on Ukraine is driving Georgia’s government toward closer alignment with Moscow and other illiberal states
Being pro-EU does not win politicians many votes in the Western Balkans and the Caucasus. There, Viktor Orbán’s version of an illiberal Europe appears to be the union’s top-rated political export.
As the EU accelerates the process of adding new member states, it also needs to rethink the relationship between enlargement and democracy. The union should develop a “Copenhagen plus” approach to encourage more comprehensive democratic reforms in candidate countries.
Georgia's foreign agent bill is a turning point for the state of democracy in the country and Tbilisi's relations with its partners.
Georgia's self-mobilised citizenry is resisting a ruling party that seems intent on staying in power at all costs.
The EU’s failure to leverage strict conditionality emboldened Georgia’s government to pursue regressive policies. Ongoing protests should prompt Brussels to empower Georgian grassroots as catalysts for democratic change.
