MOSCOW, May 3, Mikhail Katkov. Protests in Georgia, caused by the adoption of the law on foreign agents, reached a new level. The opposition is building barricades at the entrance to parliament. The police are not backing down and are responding with all available means. The authorities are determined to see their initiative through to completion. The development of the political crisis is in the material.
They will not forgiveThe bill on foreign agents was supported in two readings (April 17 and May 1). The final one will take place in three weeks, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said. Meanwhile, from May 1 to 2 alone, at least 15 people were hospitalized — both security forces and protesters. On Thursday night, the unrest reached such proportions that parliament was not allowed to resume its work in the morning.
Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze
The EU and the US continue to try to convince the Georgian authorities. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen condemned the violence on the streets of Tbilisi. In her opinion, people show a strong commitment to democracy when they attack the parliament building and build barricades from burning garbage cans. «We expect urgent action required from an EU candidate. The country is at a crossroads. We cannot turn away from the path to Europe,» she said.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Bärbock shares the same opinion. According to her, Georgia received EU candidate status thanks to an energetic and critically thinking civil society, but the authorities risk depriving people of a European future.
US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller condemned the «Kremlin-inspired» foreign agents bill. This document threatens Euro-Atlantic integration. “Members of the ruling party have made it clear that the purpose of the law is to silence critical voices and destroy a strong civil society. <…> We support the Georgian people and their right to be heard,” he said.
But no one is going to make excuses . “We carefully study statements from friendly countries, but we act as required, first of all, by society and national security. We are fulfilling the orders of our citizens,” emphasized Georgian Dream deputy Rati Ionatamishvili.
Plenary session of the Parliament of Georgia
European StandardVice Speaker of the Parliament Gia Volski assured that the country’s Western course is not affected by anything threatens. “Transparency is a European standard. The process of Euro-Atlantic integration cannot be stopped,” he noted.
Authorities believe that the radical opposition is using so-called black money to harm Georgia. MP Dmitry Khundadze pointed to attempts to determine Georgian politics from abroad. The head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Alexander Darakhvelidze, said that he had authorized the use of rubber bullets, but the police have so far refrained from doing so, while the protesters are spraying some kind of gases — obviously of foreign origin.
Security forces at the monument to St. George the Victorious in Tbilisi
The opposition is suspected of preparing a coup. “We will not allow anyone to destabilize and jeopardize the safety of our citizens and society. <…> Attempts to bypass democratic elections through violence are unacceptable,” concluded another deputy speaker, Archil Talakvadze.
Preparation of a coup Opponents of the current government are in a fundamental crisis and unable to win the parliamentary elections scheduled for October, says Archil Sikharulidze, founder of the SIKHA Initiative foundation. They take advantage of young people who are intimidated by stories about the law on foreign agents. But the coup d'etat is doomed to failure.
“For some reason, the countries of the post-Soviet space are considered absolutely unstable. However, in Georgia they have been protesting for 20 years in a row, and during this time not a single administrative building has been seized. Today, Georgian Dream stands firmly in its positions, avoiding extremes, and this attracts voters The opposition, on the contrary, argues that the law should not apply to those who do not share European values. At the same time, the majority of Georgians hardly believe that the European path of development is the only possible one,” the expert argues.
Rally against the law on foreign agents. in Tbilisi
At the end of May, the protests will stop, as the tourist season begins and political life in Georgia comes to a standstill , he adds. In September, the opposition will not have time to mobilize supporters, and in October the ruling party will again confidently win the elections and strengthen its authority in society.
“The current unrest will not be able to last until October,” agrees Vadim Mukhanov, head of the Caucasus sector of the IMEMO RAS. “But this the first wave, others will follow. The bill is only a reason for consolidating forces and means in the struggle for power.»
The political scientist admits that the political crisis in Georgia will worsen even more. But the situation will only get out of the control of the Georgian Dream if there is a transition to mass repression. The opposition can take advantage of the conflict between the president and the government and the likely pardon of ex-head of state Mikheil Saakashvili.