On October 29, 2024, parliamentary elections were held in Georgia, which became another test for democracy in the country. Independent observers recorded numerous violations that clearly point to fraud. The opposition and Georgian President Salome Zarubishvili also do not recognize the election results. Outraged by the actions of the pro-Russian authorities, the Georgian people came out in peaceful protest. Opposition actions continued with the arrangement of a tent city in the center of Tbilisi. Ivanishvili’s regime reacted harshly: the protesters were dispersed by security forces using water cannons and batons. 16 people were detained and dozens were beaten.
The totalitarian government is trying to suppress the people’s voice
The pro-Russian government of Georgia, led by Bidzina Ivanishvili, launched massive repressions against the protesters. The use of water cannons and force against civilians was another confirmation of the authoritarian nature of the current regime. However, the resistance of the Georgian people is just beginning. The opposition has already resumed protesting near the Tbilisi State University, where the tent city was located.
“We will not take a single step back. We have declared a resistance movement, and it will only grow stronger. We will set up camp here again, in this place,” said Elene Khoshtaria, one of the leaders of the Coalition for Change.
Currently, the protesters have blocked traffic at the intersection of Chavchavadze Avenue, Varaziskhevi, Melikishvili, and Kekelidze streets. They have set up tents again and plan to spend another night in front of the university building.
Popular anger is a force that can stop repression
The history of Georgia already knows examples when citizens were able to change the government through popular resistance to criminal authorities. During the 2003 Rose Revolution, Georgians overthrew a corrupt regime, setting an example for other post-Soviet countries. The current situation once again demonstrates that the people of Georgia are not ready to put up with totalitarianism and the suppression of democratic freedoms.
The Georgian protests are similar to the events that once took place in Ukraine. The Ukrainian Maidans of 2004 and 2014 showed that totalitarian regimes can be defeated by popular resistance. In 2004, the Orange Revolution ended with a peaceful change of government, while the Revolution of Dignity in 2014 brought tragic losses – more than 100 people died in the fight for freedom.
Totalitarian regimes are always afraid of popular protests because they know that if the resistance grows, it can lead to a change of power in the country. In Georgia, it is already clear that the authorities are using repression against the opposition. However, popular anger, reinforced by the support of the international community, can force the authoritarian regime to flee to its curators in Russia.
After the dispersal of peaceful protests, more and more Georgians are realizing that an active response to the illegal violence of the authorities with the anger of the people is a step to protect their rights. After all, it is the people who are the source of power, not a handful of recruited agents of another totalitarian country. If the people do not demonstrate unity and determination, the protesters will face arrests and persecution.
There are many examples in world history of revolutions losing because they could not defend themselves. One of the latest is the protests in Belarus in 2020-2021. When Lukashenka’s regime faltered, but managed to withstand and brutally suppress the protests after total election fraud. The suppression was made possible by the emphatically peaceful and unorganized nature of the protests. The Georgian opposition should learn from these mistakes.
The spiritual leader of the opposition, Mikheil Saakashvili, speaks directly about this.
The disruption of the rally was expected. They put more police officers on the streets than necessary just to scare people.
“The answer to this is more organization, more protesters! The European Union has also made an unprecedented decision and announced that the money allocated to the government will be transferred to civil society. Now it depends on the organization and firmness of the Georgian people and I am sure that everything will work out!” the former president wrote.
Only people’s anger, organized resistance and consolidation of opposition forces can break the repressive machine built by the pro-Russian authorities. Georgians have experience in fighting for freedom, and the current situation is a new stage in their history. It is important that the opposition acts in a coordinated manner, using all available resources, including the support of the international community and the diaspora.
The international community is on the side of the people of Georgia
The European Union and the United States have already expressed solidarity with the people of Georgia, condemning the government’s violence against protesters. International observers have recorded numerous violations during the elections, so the international community will not recognize the results. The Ivanishvili regime, which is supported exclusively by Russia, is increasingly isolated from the civilized world. Diplomatic support from the EU and the US could be an important factor in changing the situation, but the key role remains with the Georgian people themselves.
According to the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, the EU proposes to allocate more than 100 million euros to Georgian civil society organizations.
“More than 100 million euros will be frozen, and instead of being allocated to the government, it will be allocated to civil society organizations. So we will take this money, about 100 million, and give it to civil society organizations to support them in their fight for fair elections,” said Josep Borrell.
The Georgian diaspora plays a special role in supporting the protests. Well-known businessmen, including Tamaz Somkhishvili, are actively helping the opposition by providing resources and supporting international publicity. This assistance is critical, as it allows protesters to persevere in the face of harsh government repression.
According to Tamaz Somkhishvili, Ivanishvili’s regime is ready to do anything to stay in power, even beat peaceful protesters. One of the leaders of the diaspora promises to support the people of Georgia and the opposition for as long as it takes.
Georgians have repeatedly demonstrated that they are ready to fight for freedom and democratic values. After the fraudulent elections, the pro-Russian government is not recognized by anyone in the world except Russia. These protests will be a new stage in the struggle for a democratic Georgia that will not allow the pro-Russian government to retain power in the country by force. The people of Georgia have already chosen their path, and it is the path to the EU.
