The upcoming parliamentary elections in late October and the impending EU membership negotiations have raised questions due to their curious timing. However, a bigger mystery is the 12-year rule of the ruling party, the Georgian Dream (GD), which is known for its anti-EU stance. It’s perplexing why a party with such a position continued to win elections, given Georgia’s strong inclination towards the West.
In 2008, under the leadership of Mikhael Saakashvili, Georgia underwent a significant political upheaval. Although the country had made substantial democratic reforms and actively supported international military operations, it did not receive NATO’s Membership Action Plan from its Western allies. Russia’s subsequent invasion left Georgia in ruins, and the US’s policy of resetting relations with Moscow only deepened Georgia’s sense of betrayal and disillusionment.
The GD party, founded by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, rose to power in 2012, defeating Saakashvili’s National Movement. Ivanishvili, who returned from Russia in 2003, amassed a fortune equivalent to 40.5 percent of Georgia’s GDP at the time, ensuring political loyalty and promoting optimistic expectations in a nation where the average monthly income was a mere $450. This was despite the fact that his wealth was linked to Russia.
The GD party was built on a platform of escalating societal complaints, often likened to a political Frankenstein’s monster. Despite initially projecting a pro-European stance, the party pivoted towards anti-liberal and anti-Western policies just as Georgia was deepening its ties with the EU. In the years that followed, it has been accused of violating human rights, suppressing opposition, disseminating conspiracy theories and misinformation, passing a controversial “Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence”, and promoting anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, thereby fuelling homophobia.
Throughout its tenure, GD has weakened three crucial aspects of Georgia’s security and development. The country has lost its strategic partnership with the United States, resulting in sanctions on several government officials and a halt in development aid and military cooperation. The EU has paused its accession process due to democratic regression. Georgia has also been sidelined from NATO’s political agenda.
While critics argue that Ivanishvili is serving Russian President Vladimir Putin’s interests, another player, China, is expanding its influence in the country.
