Georgia's democratic crisis is unfolding in real time, on the streets and within state institutions. As a former member of the Georgian Parliament and opposition leader, I have spent 13 years facing administrative detention, fines and physical violence, while many of my colleagues remain behind bars on politically motivated charges.
The latest findings under the Moscow Mechanism, published in March by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, confirm a pattern of marked democratic backsliding, pressure on opposition figures, restrictions targeting civil society and physical attacks on journalists.
These developments reflect a process of state capture — a gradual but deliberate transformation of institutions that began after the 2012 parliamentary elections, won by a coalition led by then-opposition party Georgian Dream. Power has since consolidated around pro-Russian oligarchic influence, weakening democratic oversight and creating an opening for Russia.
Dozens of political prisoners are a stark reminder to the European Union that Brussels must act decisively to secure Georgian citizens a future in a liberal, democratic country with a credible path to EU membership.
A post-Soviet playbook
Georgia's trajectory reflects a pattern seen across other post-Soviet states, including Russia and Belarus, where formal institutions still exist, but real power has shifted to informal networks operating without transparency or oversight.
The judiciary offers a clear example. A small group of influential judges has consolidated control over appointments and disciplinary mechanisms, creating a closed system in which loyalty is rewarded and independence discouraged.
Law enforcement agencies operate in a comparable way. Prosecutorial tools, arbitrary arrests and prolonged detentions are used against political opponents and protesters to exert pressure and deter dissent.
Recent legislative initiatives targeting opposition parties have banned specific individuals from political activity, while a constitutional court appeal has sought to outlaw key opposition parties, including the United National Movement, Ahali and Lelo.
The consequences for the EU
Georgia's democratic erosion has direct implications for Europe.
The country was long regarded as one of the EU's most promising partners in the Eastern Partnership. That perception is rapidly fading, and trust between Tbilisi and its Western partners is fraying.
Relations with the U.S. have deteriorated, while several international partners have imposed targeted sanctions in response to democratic backsliding and the strengthening of Russian influence.
For the EU, this poses a strategic challenge. If a candidate country can formally maintain the language of reform while systematically weakening democratic practice, then traditional EU tools — political dialogue, technical assistance and financial support — risk losing their efficacy.
If left unaddressed, Georgia's trajectory could have broader implications for the EU's enlargement and neighborhood policies in the east. Tbilisi was granted the status of candidate country in 2023, but the government halted the EU accession process until 2028.
The situation requires a more decisive and targeted European response. The EU must prioritize the restoration of genuinely free and fair elections in its engagement with Georgia.
Under current conditions, electoral processes have already lost much of their democratic substance. This was evident in the 2024 parliamentary elections, which were widely contested domestically and assessed by OSCE as falling short of key democratic standards.
The EU should directly finance independent media, support civic watchdogs, counter Russian disinformation through fact-based campaigns and provide economic support to opposition parties and civil society actors facing restrictions.
Brussels should also impose targeted sanctions on political leaders responsible for democratic backsliding, as well as on individuals and networks that sustain the regime, including family members and business allies.
European conditionality must ensure government accountability, strengthen judicial independence and enable citizens to exercise their political rights freely.
Public demand for democracy and European integration remains strong in the country, presenting both a challenge and an opportunity for the EU.
A more assertive response would help restore democratic standards in Georgia and send a clear signal that the EU's commitment to enlargement and democratic values is credible and enforceable.
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