Georgia: 600 Days of Resistance Against Authoritarianism

• Georgian citizens have engaged in over 600 consecutive days of anti-government protests against the state's authoritarian drift.
• Key triggers include the passing of a Russian-style "foreign agent" law and the government's decision to suspend EU accession talks.
• Despite massive initial turnouts, repression, fear, and state-led intimidation have significantly dampened public participation.

Legislative Crackdown

• The ruling "Georgian Dream" party, led by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, solidified its power in the October 2024 general elections.
• A restrictive law targeting NGOs requires groups with foreign funding to register as "foreign agents," leading 94% of organizations to reduce activities or shutter.
• Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has labeled the opposition's protests as "political terrorism" and blamed foreign interference for the unrest.

Impact on Civil Society

• The government's tactics include heavy fines—up to 5,000 lari, roughly five times the average monthly salary—and arbitrary arrests.
• According to the Social Justice Center, the NGO sector, previously vibrant, is being dismantled through legislative and financial pressure.
• Approximately 60 political prisoners, including former President Mikheil Saakashvili, are currently held, signaling a shift toward a regime similar to those in Russia or Belarus.

Social Polarization

• While the majority of the population (over 70%) supports EU membership, the government aligns itself with an ultra-conservative agenda and maintains close ties with the Orthodox Church.
• Activists and religious figures like Father Ilya continue to protest, though the government utilizes control of media and accusations of "treason" to maintain a 30-35% core support base.
• Analysts remain pessimistic about the opposition’s ability to force change given its internal divisions, while some protesters remain hopeful that the fight for freedom will eventually succeed.