Georgia’s recent parliamentary elections have been marred by allegations of electoral fraud and manipulation by the ruling party, ‘Georgian Dream.’ Grassroots movements, led by civic groups like ‘Freedom Square,’ are rallying citizens to demand democracy and challenge the legitimacy of the results. Despite widespread claims of bribery and intimidation, opposition factions are organizing peaceful protests and advocating for international oversight of future elections, emphasizing the urgency of addressing systemic corruption and preventing authoritarianism.
Challenges to Democracy in Georgia’s Recent Elections
The parliamentary elections in Georgia have sparked significant controversy, as the anticipated change in power did not materialize. This can be attributed to the government’s alleged orchestrated electoral fraud, utilizing its resources to manipulate the outcome. Despite this grim reality, many citizens refuse to accept defeat and are actively advocating for democracy.
Grassroots Movements and Calls for Change
One evening in Mziuri Park, located in the heart of Tbilisi, around 50 individuals gathered in front of an open-air stage. The atmosphere was charged as numerous television crews documented the event. Simon Janaschia, a representative from the civic movement ‘Freedom Square’, addressed the crowd. His group participated in the parliamentary elections on October 26 alongside the opposition coalition ‘Strong Georgia,’ which garnered nearly nine percent of the votes, securing 14 seats in parliament.
Like other opposition factions, Janaschia and his supporters refuse to accept their mandates, asserting that the elections were stolen from the electorate. According to the Central Election Commission, the ruling party ‘Georgian Dream’ received 54 percent of the votes, attaining an absolute majority in parliament. Several pro-European opposition alliances have rejected this outcome and are planning protests.
Janaschia, who is also a teacher, aims to combat the feelings of frustration and hopelessness prevalent among the populace. “We want to inspire people: You are not alone. There are many who also desire democracy, regardless of international backing,” he stated. Their objective is to establish a sustained protest movement, with Janaschia facilitating discussions and encouraging attendees to voice their ideas and resist the drift towards authoritarianism.
The group is leveraging websites and social media platforms like Facebook, which remain vital for discourse in Georgia. They are currently drafting a manifesto, summarizing key points for public dissemination through downloads, posters, and metro advertisements. A crucial aspect of their mission is to conduct protests peacefully and within legal boundaries, as they seek to awaken citizens from propaganda-induced apathy.
Janaschia shared a story of a coordinator who traveled through various Georgian regions, where many individuals inquired about the monetary compensation for their votes. This practice has led to the phrase ‘renting out one’s vote’ becoming commonplace, highlighting the depth of corruption within the electoral process.
Post-elections, both the president and opposition leaders have alleged widespread fraud. Hans Gutbrod, a professor at Ilia State University, described the situation as characterized by “bribery on an unprecedented scale, mass intimidation, and electoral manipulation” in his preliminary analysis of the October 26 elections. Coordinators from the ruling party reportedly distributed sums ranging from 35 to 100 euros, sometimes in the form of vouchers, throughout the regions. Estimates suggest that the ruling party may have spent around 15 million euros on these illicit practices.
Pressure tactics were particularly directed towards vulnerable groups, including ethnic minorities and social welfare recipients. Over its three previous terms, ‘Georgian Dream’ has consolidated control over essential institutions, notably the judiciary, resulting in election monitoring organizations struggling to have their complaints addressed in court despite substantial evidence of electoral violations. Consequently, civil society and opposition groups are demanding an international investigation and a new election supervised by international bodies.
Georgia’s aspirations for EU membership face obstacles, particularly from its former Soviet ties. Nevertheless, surveys from independent and opposition-affiliated organizations indicated that while there was a majority support for the ruling party, it was closer to 40 percent than the claimed 54 percent.
Unlike the 2012 shift in power led by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, the opposition currently lacks the necessary resources and persuasive strategies. While they framed the election as a critical choice between alignment with the EU or Russia, they struggled to compete effectively against the ruling party’s narrative, which positioned itself as the only entity capable of preventing a ‘second front’ against Russia.
Interestingly, younger demographics have shown lesser participation in protests against electoral fraud compared to previous demonstrations against the ‘foreign influence’ law. The previously prominent ‘Shame Movement’ has retreated from the public sphere after facing backlash for its foreign funding and subsequent registration as a ‘foreign agent’ with the Ministry of Justice.
As the opposition contemplates renewed protests, they are hopeful for support from the EU and the USA. With a growing sense of desperation, opposition parties are increasingly reliant on mass demonstrations, rejecting the acceptance of their parliamentary mandates. Teona Akubardia, a former independent MP, shared her frustrations, noting that her legislative proposals were ignored in committee discussions, preventing her from addressing significant issues in plenary sessions.
Having joined ‘For Georgia’, a party led by former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia, Akubardia stresses the need for international pressure to negate recognition of the newly elected parliament and impose sanctions against Ivanishvili and his affiliates. Without such actions, she warns of a potential descent into authoritarianism akin to Russia.
As the ruling party seeks another term, it jeopardizes the future of the nation. Janaschia, who has also encountered challenges as an educational reform advisor in parliament, expressed his frustration with lawmakers who disregard expert proposals in favor of directives from the government. Reports indicate that even cabinet members have refrained from making independent decisions, continually deferring to Ivanishvili.
With Ivanishvili remaining silent since the elections, Janaschia aspires to galvanize societal resistance against the entrenched oligarchic system, empowering citizens to believe they can effect change in their country and countering the trend of young people seeking opportunities abroad.