Last weekend, Georgia held parliamentary elections that have led to a major conflict between the ruling party, Georgian Dream, and four opposition parties. These opposition groups claim the elections were unfair and that their votes were stolen. The president of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili, who was born in France, has refused to accept the election results and is calling for large protests.
On Monday evening, big crowds gathered outside the Parliament building, with the opposition demanding new elections and refusing to participate in the new government. The United States has criticized the Georgian Dream party for breaking election rules and has warned that there could be serious consequences if the country does not change its direction and move closer to Western alliances.
Despite claims of election fraud, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said it found no significant violations during the voting.
A Look at Georgia’s Recent History
Georgia has a complex history, especially after gaining independence from the Soviet Union. In 1990, the country declared its desire to break away from the USSR, and by 1991, a referendum showed strong support for independence. The U.S. recognized Georgia’s independence right away, but most countries waited until the USSR collapsed in 1992.
However, two regions, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, wanted to separate from Georgia. They had a troubled history with Georgia and were not happy with the new government. When Georgia refused to let them go, tensions escalated into armed conflicts in the early 1990s. These conflicts caused many deaths and displaced thousands of people. Eventually, peace was restored with the help of Russian peacekeepers.
The Rose Revolution
The struggles of the early years of independence left lasting scars on Georgia. From 1995 to 2003, Eduard Shevardnadze, a former Soviet leader, tried to improve ties with both the West and Russia. However, in November 2003, people protested against what they believed were flawed election results, demanding Shevardnadze’s resignation. This uprising, known as the Rose Revolution, culminated when crowds burst into Parliament during his speech. Shevardnadze stepped down, and Mikheil Saakashvili became president in January 2004.
Saakashvili’s Leadership
Saakashvili took a strong stance against Russia and aimed for Georgia to join NATO. He increased the military budget significantly and took a tough approach toward Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Saakashvili sought help from Western advisors and sent Georgian troops to support the U.S. in Iraq and Afghanistan. During a visit in 2005, President George W. Bush praised Georgia as a “beacon of liberty.” However, human rights organizations raised concerns about treatment of prisoners during Saakashvili’s time in office.
In 2007, large protests against his government were met with violence, which he claimed was a Russian-backed coup attempt.
The 2008 War
In August 2008, Saakashvili sent troops into South Ossetia to regain control. In response, Russia sent in its military. After five days of fighting, Russia defeated Georgian forces and recognized the independence of both Abkhazia and South Ossetia, freezing relations with Georgia for years. This conflict damaged Saakashvili’s popularity, and his party lost the 2012 elections. Saakashvili fled to Ukraine and later returned to Georgia, where he was arrested.
The Rise of Georgian Dream
Since 2012, the Georgian Dream party has been the main political force in the country, winning elections in 2012, 2016, and 2020. After the 2008 war, Georgia initially continued to pursue pro-Western policies, signing an agreement with the EU in 2014 and adding EU and NATO membership aspirations to its constitution in 2018. In March 2022, Georgia applied for EU membership and was granted candidate status.
However, over the years, Georgia has shifted away from its Western alignment. While it condemned Russia’s actions in Ukraine in 2022, it remained neutral and did not join Western sanctions against Russia. In 2023, Georgia resumed direct flights with Russia, leading to threats of sanctions from Washington.
Western nations have accused Georgia of moving away from democratic principles, particularly after the government passed laws labeling NGOs as “foreign agents” and banning LGBTQ content for minors. These laws sparked protests, and the U.S. and its allies have called for the repeal of what they consider “anti-democratic” legislation, showing their support for the protesters.
This political turmoil illustrates the ongoing struggle in Georgia as it navigates its path between Western aspirations and complex historical ties with Russia.
