Event Recording | Protests in Georgia and Their Impact

Repression and Resistance in Georgia

In November 2024, soon after winning highly controversial parliamentary elections, the Georgian Dream (GD) government announced that it was suspending its bid for EU membership. The decision sparked public protests in Tbilisi and other major Georgian cities, which still persist. The government has responded with violent crackdowns on the protesters, and hundreds have been arrested. But despite the increasing government violence Georgians continue to occupy the streets, demanding new elections. What are the prospects for positive democratic change in the country? How is GD's authoritarian behavior shaping the future of US-Georgia relations? What leverage can Europe and the United States deploy to support Georgia's pro-Western and pro-democracy civil society?

Featured Speakers:

• Eto Buziashvili, Research Associate, Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab)

• Ambassador Batu Kutelia, Non-Resident Senior Fellow in FPRI's Eurasia Program.

• Robert Hamilton, Head of Eurasia Research, FPRI

• Maia Otarashvili, Eurasia Program Director, FPRI