Georgia on the Brink? A Year of Protests Sparks Critical Concerns!

It’s hard to believe it's been a year. A year since the streets of Tbilisi started echoing with the chants of pro-EU Georgians, a year since the air filled with tear gas and the tension became almost palpable. While the headlines might have faded elsewhere, the daily demonstrations in Georgia continue, albeit with numbers that have, admittedly, dwindled. Still, the dedication of those who remain is striking.

Georgia on the Brink? A Year of Protests Sparks Cr...

Despite the smaller crowds – which, on occasion, still swell to hundreds, even thousands – the core message hasn't wavered: a fervent desire for European integration and a staunch opposition to the increasingly autocratic leanings of the Georgian Dream party. This all stems back to the disputed elections of October 2024, which many feel solidified the ruling party's grip on power.

I remember vividly the initial eruption of protests. It was Prime Minister Kobakhidze’s announcement about suspending the EU integration process that really lit the fuse. Rustaveli Avenue, that iconic stretch of Tbilisi, became the epicenter. And the response from the authorities? Swift and brutal. Water cannons, tear gas, pepper spray – they threw everything at the protestors. And the protestors, young and old, fought back with whatever they had, including, yes, fireworks. It was a chaotic, almost surreal scene.

The police tactics were, frankly, appalling. Journalists were deliberately targeted – their equipment confiscated, their reporting obstructed. I know several colleagues who were injured, some seriously. The sheer number of arrests in those first two weeks – over 450! – speaks volumes. And civil society groups have documented numerous cases of police brutality. It was a clear attempt to silence dissent.

But the protesters proved resilient. They adapted, donning protective gear and developing techniques to neutralize tear gas. The police, in turn, upped their game, deploying even larger quantities of gas and resorting to indiscriminate arrests. One journalist from OC Media (one of our content partners, I should add) narrowly avoided arrest while covering one of the protests and had a camera destroyed. Plus, the government slapped hefty fines on anyone blocking the roads, making it financially difficult for many to participate.

Even the Christmas decorations couldn’t escape the political undertones. Protesters cleverly repurposed the festive displays, hanging banners and photos of detainees who they claim had been subjected to torture. The Christmas tree lighting itself was a muted affair, overshadowed by the ongoing unrest. And come New Year's, they celebrated right there on Rustaveli, with a public feast, a defiant act of solidarity.

The ban on fireworks, face masks, and lasers did seem to calm things down a little, leading to more peaceful demonstrations. Thematic marches became more common. But the underlying tension, the fundamental disagreement about Georgia's future, remains. Whether the movement can sustain itself in the long term is an open question. What *is* clear, though, is that the government’s slide towards authoritarianism is becoming harder and harder to ignore. And that, my friends, is a story we'll continue to follow closely.