A Year of Protest in Georgia: Defending EU Aspirations Against Authoritarian Shift

• Following the November 2024 suspension of Georgia's EU integration process, the country has experienced an unprecedented year of sustained mass mobilization.
• The ruling Georgian Dream party has implemented increasingly anti-Western policies, suppressing dissent through severe police violence, administrative fines, and criminal charges.
• Despite declining numbers and state-sponsored intimidation, protesters continue to rally for snap elections and democratic reform.

Key Developments

• Nov 2024 – Jan 2025: Initial mass protests were met with heavy police deployment, including water cannons and tear gas. Protesters adapted by moving from violent clashes to peaceful marches and acts of civil disobedience.
• Feb 2025 – June 2025: Legislation criminalizing road-blocking and restricting foreign funding for NGOs and media intensified government pressure. Protesters faced ongoing surveillance, including AI facial recognition, and frequent arrests.
• July 2025 – Nov 2025: The October local elections resulted in a Georgian Dream landslide, boycotted by the opposition amid widespread clashes. Recent government actions include filing coup-related charges against opposition leaders.

Impact on Civil Society

• Media Suppression: Journalists have been frequently targeted, injured, and imprisoned, while new laws restrict broadcasters from receiving foreign funding.
• Legal Warfare: The state has utilized a commission to target opposition figures and passed a version of FARA legislation to undermine civil society.
• Human Costs: Hundreds of protesters have been fined, jailed, or physically injured. Families of detainees and displaced persons have faced eviction and state-led economic hardship.

Current Status

• As of November 2025, police have escalated tactics to prevent road-blocking, including cordoning off sidewalks. While the protest movement has persisted for a year, the government's shift toward authoritarian rule remains entrenched.