The Georgian Dream is fading: Two years of protest have not stopped Tbilisi's authoritarian drift
The Constitutional Court in Tbilisi has begun hearing a case brought by the ruling Georgian Dream party, which seeks to ban the country’s five main opposition parties. Just a few years ago, Georgia was considered a model of democratic development in the region. Now, the authorities have not only halted the EU integration process, they have also stepped up political repression. Censorship of the…
Georgia's political landscape has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years. Once hailed as a beacon of democracy in the South Caucasus, the nation has now become synonymous with authoritarian rule under the Georgian Dream party. The ruling party, led by Bidzina Ivanishvili, has been linked to Moscow and has taken aggressive measures to suppress opposition and limit civil liberties.
The EU's 2025 human rights report highlights the erosion of democratic institutions and fundamental rights in Georgia. Police brutality against protesters, including cases that amount to torture or inhuman treatment, has been documented. Independent media outlets face severe restrictions, with laws targeting foreign funding and forcing journalists to adhere to the government's narrow definition of "fairness and confidentiality."
Amidst this authoritarian drift, the Georgian Dream party has secured a decisive victory in parliamentary elections, winning 89 of 150 seats. However, the election was marred by the manipulation of democratic norms. The ruling party mobilized public-sector employees and pensioners to counteract opposition protests, leading to widespread demonstrations in November 2024.
The international community, particularly the European Union, has condemned the deteriorating democratic crisis in Georgia, calling for new free elections and targeted sanctions.
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