Street demonstrations in Georgia have reached unprecedented levels this winter. Thousands of people gather daily in Tbilisi and other cities while police use tear-gas and water-cannons to disperse crowds (which only makes protesters more determined)
The ruling Georgian Dream party sparked nation-wide anger by putting off EU membership till 28; a decision that goes against wishes of more than 80% of citizens. The situation got worse after Oct elections which many think werent fair‚ and the implementation of a law that copies Russian-style control over society
President Salome Zourabichvili – who faces end of term this month – stands with protesters against riot police. Many high-level workers quit their government jobs to show they dont agree with anti-EU choices; even some who used to support the ruling party joined the protests
Four possible ways this could go: the government might step back and make deals with people; they could use force like in Belarus three years ago; they might declare emergency-rule saying its needed to stop Russian invasion; or everything could lead to a full-scale revolution
- Police might switch sides and join protesters
- Government leaders could run away
- Zourabichvili might lead temporary government
- New elections could happen in spring
- Risk of chaos and fighting exists
Moscow watches closely as Georgia chooses between West and East. Russian troops – even though busy in Ukraine – might try to step in like they did in Kazakhstan two years ago. The sight of blue-and-gold EU flags next to Georgian ones shows what people want: freedom to pick their own path without pressure from their ex-ruler
Western countries need to see this as part of bigger Europe-Russia competition. Georgian people show theyʼll fight for European future; now they wait to see if West will help them reach it