As Georgia prepares for parliamentary elections on October 26th, tensions are running high in the capital, Tbilisi, where tens of thousands of citizens have taken to the streets in support of the country’s European Union (EU) aspirations.
The rally comes at a crucial juncture for Georgia’s political trajectory, as the upcoming elections are seen as a litmus test for whether the country will align more closely with the West or fall back into Russia’s sphere of influence.
Since being granted EU candidate status in 2023, Georgia’s path towards full membership has been fraught with challenges.
While EU membership remains a popular goal among a significant portion of the population, opposition supporters argue that the ruling Georgian Dream party has undermined the country’s progress toward European integration.
The ruling party, which has held power since 2012, faces increasing scrutiny for its domestic policies and controversial legislation that many view as a departure from democratic principles and human rights standards that the EU champions.
Georgia’s Troubled Path to EU Membership
For many Georgians, joining the EU is about more than economics or political alliances—it is seen as a way to solidify the country’s democratic institutions and distance itself from its historical ties to Russia.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Georgia’s alignment with either the EU or Russia has become more critical than ever. While the country has made efforts to foster closer ties with Europe over the past decade, the slow pace of reforms, combined with a political climate often perceived as increasingly authoritarian, has raised concerns among Western allies.
The opposition, along with civil society groups, has been vocal in accusing the ruling party of deliberately stalling the EU accession process. These accusations stem from controversial policies passed by the Georgian parliament, which have sparked widespread protests and condemnation from both domestic and international observers.
Controversial Legislation: A Step Back from European Values?
Two specific pieces of legislation recently passed by Georgia’s parliament have become flashpoints for the broader debate over the country’s European future.
The first, an anti-LGBTQ+ rights bill, has drawn sharp criticism from human rights groups and European leaders alike.
The bill, signed into law by Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili earlier this month, introduces sweeping restrictions on the LGBTQ+ community, including bans on same-sex marriage, adoption by same-sex couples, and media depictions of LGBTQ+ relationships.
It also prohibits gender-affirming care and prevents individuals from changing their gender designation on official documents.
These measures have been condemned by activists, who argue that they exacerbate existing societal prejudice against LGBTQ+ people and have contributed to a rise in hate crimes. European institutions, which place a high value on protecting the rights of minority groups, have also expressed alarm.
While Georgian Dream’s leadership defends the legislation as being aligned with “common sense” and Georgia’s “centuries-old Christian values,” critics warn that such moves place Georgia at odds with the values of the EU, potentially jeopardizing its candidacy status.
The second legislative move that has raised eyebrows in Brussels is a controversial foreign agent law passed by the Georgian parliament earlier this year.
The law mandates that any media organisation or non-governmental organisation (NGO) receiving more than 20% of its funding from foreign sources must register as a “foreign agent.”
Those who fail to comply with this law face substantial fines. The government argues that the law, which it has branded as a “transparency measure,” is necessary to curb foreign interference in Georgia’s domestic politics.
However, critics have dubbed it the “Russian law,” pointing out its similarities to legislation passed in Russia under President Vladimir Putin.
Russia’s foreign agent law has been used to stifle dissent, target independent media, and dismantle civil society organizations—leading many to fear that Georgia may be following a similar path. Opponents argue that the foreign agent law could be used to silence voices critical of the government, further shrinking democratic space in the country.
Election as a Bellwether
As Georgia heads to the polls, these legislative developments loom large in the minds of voters. Many see the October elections as a bellwether for the country’s future, both in terms of domestic policies and international alignment.
If the ruling Georgian Dream party maintains its hold on power, it could signal a continuation of policies that some view as leaning toward authoritarianism and away from European integration. On the other hand, a victory for opposition parties could provide momentum for Georgia’s pro-EU forces and reinvigorate the country’s stalled reform process.
For many Georgians, the stakes are high. The country’s geographic location between Europe and Asia, coupled with its historical ties to both Russia and the West, has long made Georgia a geopolitical battleground. However, with war in neighboring Ukraine and mounting pressure from both the EU and Russia, the decisions made in the upcoming elections could have far-reaching consequences for Georgia’s future.
While Georgia’s journey toward EU membership remains uncertain, one thing is clear: the path ahead will be shaped by the choices of its citizens, and the outcome of this pivotal election will determine whether Georgia remains on its pro-European course or is drawn back into Russia’s orbit. The demonstrations in Tbilisi reflect the urgency of this moment, as tens of thousands march not only for European integration but also for the future of their democracy.
