Georgia’s disputed parliamentary elections on October 26 plunged the country into a democratic crisis, jeopardizing its EU candidacy and Euro-Atlantic trajectory. At the heart of the crisis is evidence of electoral manipulation, Russian interference, and a ruling party seemingly determined to consolidate its power.
Left with no other institutional mechanisms to protect democracy, Georgia’s united opposition, led by President Salome Zurabishvili, has launched a nonviolent protest movement. The country is at a crucial crossroads in its modern history, and the outcome of the current standoff will have geopolitical consequences that will reverberate far beyond Georgia’s borders.
President Zurabishvili's condemnation of October's parliamentary elections as illegitimate has shaken the country. She said evidence of Russian interference and systematic manipulation of the election showed the ruling party was adopting increasingly authoritarian tactics.
Zurabishvili and other opposition figures have accused the ruling Georgian Dream party of weaponizing anti-Western and anti-Ukrainian narratives to gain political advantage during the election campaign. This has included claims that the country’s opposition forces are part of a Western-led “Global War Party” that is allegedly seeking to open a “second front” against Russia.
Critics argue that the events of October 26 in Georgia were not so much an election as a spectacle designed to cement the country's political status quo. Independent exit polls showed pro-Western opposition parties with a decisive majority. Nevertheless, Georgian Dream declared victory.
Reports from international observers and Georgian civil society reveal a disturbing reality, including widespread evidence of flagrant irregularities such as manipulated turnout figures and statistical anomalies. The vote itself was marred by numerous instances of violence and intimidation.
Events in Georgia have geopolitical implications for the surrounding region. Situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Georgia serves as a critical energy transit hub and a potential model of democratic resilience in a region where autocracies and empires have long vied for dominance.
Since coming to power in 2012, the Georgian Dream party has increasingly aligned itself with authoritarian regimes. This includes favoring Chinese firms over American companies in projects such as the Anaklia deep-sea port and helping to evade Russian sanctions.
Allowing Georgia to fall into the hands of authoritarians would send a dangerous signal that democratic values are negotiable. For the US and the EU, this is not just about Georgia. The West’s credibility in the wider region is at stake. Georgia shares Western foreign policy priorities, such as opposing the expansion of Chinese, Russian and Iranian influence in the Black Sea region.
Georgia’s united democratic opposition and civil society have demonstrated their willingness to lead a peaceful transition of power and position Georgia as a reliable ally of the West. However, achieving this vision requires coordinated action by Washington, Brussels, and London.
First, new elections under international supervision are needed. Only transparent elections supervised by independent actors can lead to the restoration of democratic integrity and advance Georgia’s EU accession prospects.
Second, the West should impose targeted sanctions against Georgian Dream leaders and their supporters for undermining democracy and advancing Russian interests. These sanctions would send a clear signal of support for Georgia’s democratic aspirations.
The US could expand current visa bans to include financial restrictions, and Brussels could do the same. Swift passage of legislation in the US Congress in support of the Georgian people would further demonstrate a strong commitment.
Third, Georgia’s civil society and independent media need greater protection from repression. With Georgia’s introduction of a Russian-inspired “foreign agent” law, targeted funding and diplomatic support are critical to ensuring these democratic pillars remain free and accountable.
Coordinated transatlantic pressure is critical. Decisive action on Georgia can help strengthen a Western ally and stabilize a critical region, while strengthening democracy at a crucial time. Georgia is far from a lost cause, but it will take bold Western leadership to prevent the Kremlin from taking over the country.
Zviad Adzinbaya is a PhD candidate at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, specializing in Russian hybrid warfare, disinformation, and Euro-Atlantic security and politics.
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