Podcast Summary
Georgia's struggle for identity and freedom: Thousands protest against Russian-inspired law in Georgia, determined to pull their country towards Europe and away from Moscow's orbit
In the country of Georgia, thousands of people are protesting against a Russian-inspired law, which they believe could lead to the crushing of their fragile civil society and the loss of their freedom. This struggle for Georgia's future has been ongoing for years, with the country teetering between looking west towards Europe and east towards Russia. The situation has escalated in recent months, with tens of thousands of people taking to the streets of the capital Tbilisi every night for nearly a month. Despite the risk of police crackdowns, the protesters are determined to pull their country out of Moscow's orbit and towards a future in Europe. Georgia, a country located at the crossroads between Europe and Russia, has always struggled with its identity and politics, and this struggle has manifested in various ways throughout its history. For instance, in 2003, there was a "rose revolution" that brought an end to the old Soviet-style rule and ushered in a proper democracy. However, the government became increasingly authoritarian over time, leading to the current situation.
Georgia's Political Instability and Tensions with Russia: Georgia's political situation remains tense due to ongoing tensions with Russia and domestic issues, including a controversial foreign influence bill. Despite protests, the bill requiring NGOs receiving over 20% foreign funding to register as foreign agents passed through parliament.
The political situation in Georgia remains tense due to ongoing tensions with Russia and domestic issues, including a contentious foreign influence bill. This bill, which would require civil society organizations and NGOs receiving over 20% of their funding from abroad to register as foreign agents, has been compared to Russian legislation that silenced outside voices. The bill, first introduced in March 2022, has faced significant protests and has passed through parliament despite these objections. The wealthy founder of the ruling Georgian Dream Party, Bidzina Ivanishvili, who made his fortune in Russia, has been a key supporter of the bill. The ongoing political instability and tensions with Russia have left many in Georgia feeling that they could be on the brink of something, with troops only an hour's drive north still occupying territory.
Georgian Protests: Ivanishvili's Endorsement of Russian Conspiracy Theories Sparks Massive Demonstrations: Young Georgians, led by schoolchildren, are protesting against Ivanishvili's endorsement of Russian conspiracy theories and pushing for a European perspective, while facing police violence.
Ivanishvili, the honorary chairman of Georgia's ruling party Georgian Dream, wields significant influence despite not holding any official political office. He recently made a speech endorsing Russian conspiracy theories and warning of the dangers of Western influence, sparking massive protests from young, passionate Georgians who see themselves as liberal nationalists and want a European perspective for their country. These protesters, many of whom are schoolchildren, have been met with police violence, leading to a stark contrast between the peaceful, flag-draped demonstrators and the grim, violent police response. The protests represent a pivotal moment for Georgia, with young people fighting to determine their country's future and resist the influence of Russia.
Georgia's struggle to balance EU and Russia ties: Georgians protest against perceived shift towards Russia, EU accession prospects uncertain due to government actions, EU clear on challenges of joining with tensions present
The people of Georgia are protesting against what they perceive as a shift towards Russia and away from the European Union, despite strong public support for EU membership. This tension stems from a long-standing balancing act between maintaining good relations with Russia and pursuing closer ties with the EU. However, the government's recent actions, which may be driven by fears of losing oligarch status or other interests, have alarmed many Georgians and raised concerns about the country's EU accession prospects. The EU has been clear that such a move would make the accession process more difficult, as it involves completing numerous chapters and overcoming numerous hurdles. Ultimately, this situation highlights the challenges Georgia faces in navigating its foreign policy and balancing its relationships with major powers.
EU Cautious About Expanding Membership After Past Experiences: The EU is carefully considering Georgia's membership application due to past concerns with democratic backsliding in countries like Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland, and ongoing protests against the Georgian government.
The European Union is approaching the issue of expanding membership with caution, following past experiences with countries like Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland, where democratic commitments were made but backslid once in the EU. Slovakia, in particular, is introducing legislation similar to Georgia's, and the EU is wary of repeating history. In the case of Georgia, the ongoing protests against the government and the crackdown on them could potentially influence the upcoming elections in October. The opposition parties are currently divided, but there's a chance they could unite and outmaneuver the larger party, Jordan Dreams. This situation unfolds against the backdrop of the ongoing war in Ukraine, where similar protests occurred a decade ago between a public leaning towards Europe and a government leaning towards the Kremlin, highlighting the high stakes involved.
Georgia's Fear of Russian Intervention: Despite Georgia's European Union aspirations, the Kremlin's influence through money, power, and military force remains a concern due to historical ties and Ukraine's conflict.
The fear of Russian intervention in Georgia remains a significant concern due to the country's historical and cultural ties with Russia. The Kremlin's actions in Ukraine serve as a warning, and despite Georgia's current strength and European Union aspirations, Moscow continues to wield influence through money, power, and the threat of military force. Michael Cohen's testimony in Donald Trump's criminal trial in the United States is a significant development in American politics, and the implications for Trump's future will be explored in detail in a special podcast from Politics Weekly America.
