In the aftermath of the 2024 parliamentary elections, Georgia slipped into a period of deep political crisis. The ruling Georgian Dream (GD) government has unilaterally decided to suspend EU accession talks until 2028 – despite the country having obtained EU candidate status in December 2023. This triggered mass unrest and raised serious concerns over Georgia’s democratic trajectory.

Framed by GD as a move to protect national sovereignty from so-called undue external influence, the suspension is widely interpreted as a rejection of the EU’s reform conditions and a pivot away from democratic commitments and sliding back into the Russian sphere of influence. The decision has intensified domestic polarisation, with large swaths of the population viewing it as a betrayal of Georgia’s path to Europe. Protests have erupted nationwide, continuing for over 126 days. Demonstrators demand snap elections, increased accountability, and a recommitment to democratic norms. Over 500 individuals have been detained for participating in the protests. Among them, more than 50 have been charged with criminal offenses such as organising group violence, attacking police officers, and property damage. Several activists and journalists remain in custody under questionable charges. 

In parallel with suspending EU accession talks, the GD government has adopted a package of legislative measures without due public consultations, to further undermine democratic governance. These include a Foreign Agents Registration Act targeting civil society, restrictions on foreign funding for media that threaten independent journalism, and regressive amendments to gender equality laws. Further changes have politicised civil service appointments, weakened civil society’s structured role in participating in and monitoring policymaking, and introduced a controversial bill to ban political parties linked to the opposition. Together, these moves represent a clear drift toward authoritarian consolidation and a sharp departure from European democratic values.