DEMOCRACY BACKSLIDING IN GEORGIA: TURNING FROM WEST TO RUSSIA

Abstract

This article discusses Georgia’s democratic backsliding from its Western political trajectory toward a Russian-oriented path. Unfortunately, democratic regression is not a problem unique to Georgia – it is part of a global trend observed over the past two decades in both developed and developing countries. Among post-Soviet states, clear examples of this trend include Belarus, where an authoritarian regime has been firmly consolidated, and Russia, where political competition has been virtually eliminated. In this context, Georgia’s case is particularly significant, as it has historically been perceived as one of the leaders of democratic transition in the region. However, in recent years, declining trust in Western institutions, deepening political polarization, and the strengthening of authoritarian tendencies have created a trajectory that closely resembles the Russian model.The article analyzes these ongoing processes in Georgia dynamically – the anti-democratic actions taken by the ruling party “Georgian Dream”, and the methods through which the party is introducing elements of Russia’s so-called “sovereign democracy” and, to some extent, autocracy in Georgia. These include instilling fear in society, portraying the West as a threat to the country’s national sovereignty, and utilizing conspiracy theories suggesting that a “global war party” is fighting against them.The article also examines increasing pressure on opposition politicians and parties, the media, and independent NGOs. The most striking example of deviation from European standards was the law “On Transparency of Foreign Influence”, which became known as the “Russian law” due to its resemblance to legislation adopted in Russia in 2012.This sparked widespread public protest, increased Georgia’s isolation from the democratic world, and effectively froze the country’s integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions. As a result, Georgia has significantly “fallen behind” its fellow members of Association Trio – Moldova and Ukraine – with whom it had previously taken coordinated steps toward deeper European integration.