12/19 – International News Update & Story

In Georgia, protests continue to intensify as public dissent against the government grows. On December 14th, thousands of demonstrators clashed with police outside the parliament in Tbilisi. Inside, lawmakers from the ruling Georgian Dream party, which is increasingly leaning toward Russia, elected a new president, Mikheil Kavelashvili, in a highly controversial vote. With no opposing candidates and a tally of 224 to one—boycotted by the pro-European opposition—the process echoed the undemocratic practices of Georgia’s Soviet past. Meanwhile, the government attempted to stage a Christmas tree lighting ceremony as a show of stability, but the event was postponed when authorities decided not to forcibly clear the protesters.

Demonstrators openly mocked Kavelashvili, a former football player with Manchester City turned right-wing populist, ridiculing his lack of a university degree and labeling him a “puppet” of the ruling elite. Their actions reflected broader frustration with Georgian Dream, which has faced backlash for delaying negotiations on Georgia’s EU membership application until 2028. This decision, announced by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on November 28th, reignited anger that had simmered since the October parliamentary elections, marred by allegations of vote-buying and fraud. Many see the party as being controlled by its founder, billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, whose ties to Russia further alienate Georgia’s pro-European populace.

Initial protests were met with heavy-handed responses from riot police, including tear gas and violent arrests, which only fueled public outrage and drew more people to the streets. By the second week, the government shifted its approach, keeping police out of sight while allowing demonstrations to dissipate on their own. However, targeted harassment of opposition figures continued, with politicians, journalists, and activists facing arrests and intimidation.

The protests, though concentrated in Tbilisi, have started to spread to smaller towns like Khashuri, where even small gatherings signify a shift in public willingness to challenge the government. On December 12th, professional organizations—including IT workers, teachers, and doctors—organized a half-day strike, drawing tens of thousands into the streets. Civil servants are rumored to be growing discontent, and questions remain about whether the regular police force would enforce harsher measures if demonstrations escalate further.

A critical moment looms on December 29th when Salome Zourabichvili, Georgia’s outgoing pro-European president, is legally required to step down. Zourabichvili has refused to do so, arguing that the parliamentary elections that chose her successor were illegitimate. While her symbolic support aligns with the protesters, her age and limited political power make her more of a figurehead than a leader.

For now, the government is trying to suppress opposition without provoking an uprising akin to Ukraine’s 2014 revolution. With no clear leader or unifying focus among the demonstrators, the protests could lose momentum over the holidays. However, any miscalculation by Georgian Dream could reignite widespread unrest, leaving the country at a pivotal crossroads.