Dream On Democracy: Democratic Backsliding Under Georgian Dream

October 4^th saw a landslide victory for the Georgian Dream Party, securing them sixty-four out of sixty-four districts on only forty-one percent voter turnout, signalling significant corruption at work. Over the summer, Tbilisi has been rocked by protests, but in the wake of last year's October election, it is apparent that the Georgian Dream is showing little tolerance for dissenting opposition. Strong economic performance, with GDP rising 7.9 percent this past year, has given the consolidation of Russian influence a veneer of normalcy whilst Georgian Dream sabotages the possibility of European cooperation for the foreseeable future. Of further frustration to the burgeoning internal opposition are recent amendments which have strengthened its ability to silence dissent by banning opposition politicians. What kindles democratic health is the ability to voice opposition in the pursuit of pluralism, but the impingement of speech freedoms will ultimately bring Georgia to its knees in front of an already desperate Russia. 

Much like Putin’s system of silencing dissent, Georgian Dream has created a commission to find unreliable elements in the supposed “radical” opposition that has falsely been accused of disrupting the political health of the country. The introduction of opposition removal is sure to severely damage EU relations, as the country has already failed to uphold the minimal democratic obligations for further integration. Many nonprofits in Georgia have decried measures taken by the government, claiming that “The government is sending the same threat to everyone with these changes: if you speak out, you will be arrested.” Georgian PM Irakli Kobakhidze has denied any strain on the relationship with Brussels, as I’m sure he would love anyone foolish enough to believe the empty promises of his party to think. But one immensely staggering move has been to introduce the Foreign Agents Law, which inhibits journalism in receipt of foreign funding. I think ultimately Georgian Dream wants to create a dysfunctional democracy that is buoyed by Russian funding and an economy entirely indexed into the pariah state nexus of Iran, Venezuela, Russia and the like. This disturbing future for Georgia should be a stark warning to the EU and democracies everywhere, clearly demonstrating that Putin’s reaching hand is never benign. 

The War in Ukraine is a first rate example. Following the agreed-upon nuclear disarmament in 1994, struck to dissuade Ukraine from aligning with Russia or the West, Putin has continuously reneged on all his assurances to the EU and Ukraine. Ukraine is patient zero for why we cannot continue to normalise authoritarianism in an increasingly fractious and ever smaller world. The emboldening of regimes like Putin’s only stands to aggravate democratic backslides, Georgian Dream in this case, and it will not stop if we continue to satiate the demands of such autocrats. The increase in anti-democratic alliances is assuredly harming healthy democracies daily, the endlessly divisive Trump administration being the most egregious example. As Putin has no intention of improving his own country, as the newest mobilisation orders have been grumbled about, it is no wonder his recent summit with Trump was cancelled, as Putin does not want the war to end. The ongoing hybrid warfare aimed at Western democracies will continue if leaders normalise Putin’s legitimacy as a leader. He has absolutely nothing to lose, acting as he does like a caged animal across the world stage. 

Slovakia and Hungary have argued that it is not the EU’s business to be laying down sanctions on Georgian Dream, as any country is free to conduct its own elections. It is widely known that the October 2024 elections were marred by startling Russian interference. Much like Europe’s intense scrutiny of the Romanian elections in the Spring, the EU could be aiding the democratic elements of Georgia to stabilise spiralling democratic institutions. Following the recent interventions in Armenia and Azerbaijan by the Trump administration, Georgia is largely being left out of the “Pax Americana” that Trump seems desperate to fashion across the globe. This means a continuation of dependence on authoritarians like Putin and Xi, ultimately undercutting the voices of so many who seek to be closer to Europe and enjoy the fruits of democratic freedom. Georgian Dream will continue to have free rein to blame immigrants, LGBTQ+, and their political opposition as the real threat to Georgia. The facade of Georgian Dream’s assuredness that it will be European Union ready will ultimately be put to the test. The only progress visible is Putin’s ability to spread misinformation further among many already divided countries, and the people of Georgia will pay dearly for it. 

On the other side of the world, on capitol hill, Steve Nicandros, a Texas Oil Executive, has been steadily lobbying Republican members of Congress to kill a newly proposed bill by Republican Representative Joe Wilson that would further sanction the new Georgian government. Nicandros, according to Reuters, has long maintained a business relationship with the South Caucasus, dating back to the fall of the Soviet Union. While I can understand some scepticism about cutting ties with Georgia in hopes of delegitimising Georgian Dream, which could result in further tightened Moscow-Tbilisi relations, given the group's undeniable affinity to Russia, I would argue that the battle has already been lost in that realm. Further sanctions could serve to clamp down on the party and remind it firmly of its position in aligning with Russia, especially as visas can be blocked and assets can be increasingly frozen. Isolating Georgian Dream could foster popular dissent against the government while also further isolating Putin. If Georgian Dream thinks their economy will continue to save them, they shall have to about-face once they’re on their own with no lifeline but a dictator.

Image: Wikimedia Commons/Vyacheslav Argenberg

Licence.

No image changes made.