On the 16th (local time), CNN reported that the country of Georgia in Eastern Europe is regressing from a democratic state to an authoritarian regime while strengthening ties with non-Western powers such as Russia, China, and Iran.
Once regarded as the most open regime among former Soviet states, Georgia has been reinforcing its anti-Western stance through a series of measures including suppression of the opposition, repression of press freedom, and the passage of legislation regulating foreign information agencies. CNN noted that “democracy in Georgia is collapsing.”
The currently ruling "Georgian Dream" party is expanding its cooperation with countries such as China and Iran, moving away from relations with the U.S. and the European Union. The Georgian government has withdrawn the development rights of the Anaklia deep-sea port near the Black Sea from a U.S.-European consortium and has entered into contracts with Chinese state-owned corporations that are subject to U.S. sanctions. Furthermore, it is tightening relationships with Iran through the expansion of oil trade and high-level mutual visits.
CNN reported, “Iranian businessmen are using Georgia as a transit hub to evade international sanctions, and some of the corporations registered in Georgia are directly linked to the Ministry of National Defense of Iran.”
Political repression has also intensified. Former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia of the opposition in Georgia has been charged with treason and is currently in exile, while human rights organizations report that about 60 political prisoners are currently detained. Chinese-made facial recognition cameras have been installed throughout Tbilisi, and the government is monitoring protests through this system. Protest participants face fines of up to $2,000.
The U.S. Congress has introduced the "Megobari Act" in response to the collapse of democracy in Georgia. This legislation includes sanctions such as visa restrictions and asset freezes against Georgian government officials involved in authoritarian actions like election manipulation and repression of the opposition. The bill has passed the House of Representatives and is currently under discussion in the Senate.
CNN analyzed, “Despite being a victim of Russia, which occupies 20% of its territory, Georgia is actively utilizing Russian influence in its internal politics.” Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the ruling party in Georgia has been spreading the message that “the West is trying to draw Georgia into the war,” instigating public anxiety.
Public opinion in Georgia is different. There is still a majority supporting EU and NATO membership, and the constitution explicitly states the goal of European integration. However, the "Georgian Dream" government announced in November last year that it would temporarily suspend the EU membership process. The U.S. State Department warned that “Georgia is becoming more vulnerable to Russia.”
The upcoming local elections in October are expected to be a watershed moment for the future of democracy in Georgia. The opposition is deliberating on whether to participate in the elections. Opposition figures have remarked, “This election may be the last opportunity to prevent a slide into dictatorship.”
The international community expresses concerns about the authoritarian actions of the Georgian government but shows limitations in applying substantial pressure. CNN reported, “Georgian society has not given up hope that it can still head toward Europe under internal resistance and international scrutiny.”