Throughout 2024, relations between Georgia and the European Union soured rapidly, marked by escalating tensions, new Georgian conservative legislation, and a deepening political crisis. The year began with Georgia reaffirming its goal of EU accession by 2030, but growing disagreements over democratic standards and social reforms quickly set the stage for conflict. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s government emphasized sovereignty and traditional values, which clashed with Brussels’ insistence on adhering to “European values,” particularly regarding LGBTQ+ rights and civil society freedoms.
The first major flashpoint occurred in March when Georgian Dream introduced a foreign interference law. Quickly, the legislation was deemed ‘controversial’ by the left-liberal international press.
The draft legislation sought to require organizations receiving more than 20% of their funding from abroad to register as foreign agents—a measure that its proponents argue is vital for transparency. Critics, however, likened it to Russia’s famous 2012 foreign agent law, sparking protests and accusations of authoritarianism.
The ruling “Georgian Dream” party, which backed the law, contended that it was modeled on U.S. legislation, specifically the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), and aimed to ensure transparency in foreign-funded activities. From a national-conservative standpoint, the law is viewed as a necessary safeguard to prevent undue external influence on Georgia’s political and social fabric. This is particularly relevant in a country where NGOs and foreign-funded organizations often champion agendas that may not align with the traditional values held by a significant portion of the population.
The fierce opposition to the law revealed a deep ideological rift within Georgia, and between Georgia and the left-liberal dominated EU. It also raises questions about the extent to which external actors, including the EU and the U.S., are influencing domestic politics. For “Georgian Dream” and its supporters, the episode underscores the importance of protecting the nation’s sovereignty and ensuring that its democratic processes remain free from external manipulation.
Despite mass protests in Tbilisi and stern warnings from the EU, the law passed in April, resulting in Brussels decision to freeze Georgia’s EU accession process in June. The freeze marked a significant turning point, as Georgia’s leaders accused the EU of overreach while reaffirming their commitment to national sovereignty.
This crisis deepened in July with the passage of an anti-LGBTQ+ propaganda law, banning same-sex marriage, adoption by same-sex couples, and the promotion of LGBTQ+ content. Georgia, a deeply conservative and Orthodox Christian nation, has struggled with reconciling traditional values with modern Western liberalism. Pride events in Tbilisi have often been met with violent counterprotests, reflecting the cultural resistance to what many perceive as an imposition of foreign values.
For “Georgian Dream” and its conservative base, this resistance is not about denying individual rights but about preserving the cultural and religious identity of Georgia. They argue that the West’s focus on social liberalism often comes at the expense of respecting local traditions and values. This sentiment is echoed across many conservative movements worldwide, where there is growing scepticism about Western cultural hegemony and its implications for national identity.
The legislation drew condemnation from EU officials, who argued it violated “core European principles”, further alienating Brussels. “Georgian Dream” party leaders, however, framed these measures as protecting traditional family values, rallying conservative supporters at home but exacerbating tensions with the West.
On Tuesday, September 17th, the Georgian Parliament adopted another important law, aiming to safeguard traditional family values, sparking immediate backlash from European Union officials. Brussels accused Tbilisi of fostering discrimination and homophobia, demanding the legislation be withdrawn. However, Georgian leaders maintain that such decisions rest with their electorate, who will have the opportunity to weigh in during next month’s general election.
The legislation, titled the “On Family Values and Protection of Minors” law, passed with an 84-vote majority from the ruling Georgian Dream party in the 150-member parliament. Opposition parties boycotted the session entirely, leaving no dissenting votes recorded. The law introduces sweeping measures, including a ban on same-sex marriage, adoption by same-sex couples, gender reassignment surgeries, and altering sex designations on official documents. Additionally, it prohibits pride events, public displays of the rainbow flag, and the promotion of homosexuality or gender transition in media, advertisements, and schools.
In a symbolic gesture, the law also designates May 17th—the notorious “International Day Against Homophobia”—as a public holiday dedicated to “the sanctity of the family and respect for parents.” This move aligns with the Georgian Orthodox Church’s tradition of observing May 17th as ‘Purity Day,’ a counterpoint to pride marches typically held on the same date.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell condemned the legislation on social media, warning it would “undermine fundamental rights, increase discrimination, and derail Georgia’s EU aspirations.” He reiterated Brussels’ stance that Georgia’s EU accession process, already frozen earlier in the year, would remain halted unless the law is repealed and the government recommits to European values. “This legislation is a step backward for Georgia’s democratic development,” Borrell stated, signaling potential repercussions for Tbilisi’s European integration ambitions.
The law has drawn comparisons to Hungary’s 2021 “child protection law,” which similarly banned the promotion of LGBTQ+ content in schools and on prime-time television accessible to minors. While Hungary’s measures stopped short of restricting adult freedoms, it nonetheless provoked fierce criticism from the EU, resulting in Brussels freezing billions of euros in cohesion funds for Budapest. Georgia’s stricter approach, which directly impacts adult LGBTQ+ rights, has further intensified the controversy.
In October, these divisions came to a head during Georgia’s parliamentary elections, which “Georgian Dream” won with 54% of the vote amid allegations of voter intimidation and irregularities. Opposition parties, backed by international observers and the EU, rejected the results as fraudulent. Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili sided with the opposition, calling for new elections and accusing the ruling party of undermining democracy.
The post-election period saw Georgia’s government take an unprecedented step by suspending its EU accession bid until 2028, citing the need to preserve sovereignty and resist ideological interference. This decision triggered the largest protests in Georgia’s recent history, with tens of thousands demonstrating against the government in November and beginning of December. The fallout extended beyond Europe, as the United States announced a review of its strategic alliance with Georgia, imposing sanctions on “Georgian Dream” officials over “democratic backsliding” and “human rights abuses”. EU leaders condemned the government’s actions, freezing further discussions on Georgia’s membership bid and signaling potential additional measures.
In sum, the political situation in Georgia is at a critical juncture, one marked by fierce debates over the nation’s identity, foreign policy direction, and socio-political alignment. Obviously, recent developments in Georgia echo the events of Ukraine’s Maidan protests, with external western forces playing a significant role in shaping internal political dynamics.
Parallels with Maidan: A Warning for Georgia
The comparisons between Georgia’s current political climate and Ukraine’s Maidan Revolution are not unfounded. In both cases, the struggle revolves around the tension between pro-Western liberal forces and conservative majority advocating for national sovereignty. However, while Maidan was characterized by a clear pivot away from Russia, Georgia’s situation is more nuanced.
Georgia has long pursued closer ties with the EU and NATO, but its path has been fraught with challenges. The EU’s refusal to grant Georgia candidate status earlier this year was a significant blow to pro-European aspirations and has fueled scepticism about the benefits of aligning with the West. Unlike Ukraine, Georgia is not pivoting toward Russia but is instead seeking a balanced approach that prioritizes national interests over external demands.
For “Georgian Dream”, the lesson from Maidan is clear: succumbing to external pressures and internal polarization can lead to instability, loss of sovereignty, and even conflict. The party’s conservative stance is a deliberate attempt to avoid the chaos and division that plagued Ukraine.
What It Means for the World Order
Georgia’s political trajectory has implications far beyond its borders. The country’s cautious approach to European integration reflects a broader trend of scepticism toward the EU, particularly in nations with strong conservative and traditionalist values. The EU, once seen as a beacon of prosperity and democracy, is increasingly viewed by European nations as a bureaucratic entity that imposes cultural and political conformity.
This sentiment is not unique to Georgia. Across Europe, from Hungary to Poland and now Romania, conservative governments are challenging the EU’s left-liberal orthodoxy. Georgia’s experience could serve as a bellwether for other nations grappling with similar tensions.
Furthermore, the situation in Georgia raises questions about the West’s approach to democracy promotion. The insistence on aligning with Western values, often at the expense of local traditions and sovereignity, risks alienating populations and fueling anti-Western sentiment. For many in Georgia, the protests against the foreign agent law and now against the elected government, are not a fight for democracy but a stark reminder of the West’s willingness to interfere in sovereign matters.
Is the EU Losing Its Appeal?
The events in Georgia suggest that the EU’s allure is waning, particularly in countries where integration is seen as a threat to cultural and political autonomy. The bloc’s emphasis on liberal values, coupled with its reluctance to offer tangible benefits like candidate status, has left many questioning whether the EU is worth the compromises it demands.
For Georgian Dream, the focus is not on rejecting the EU but on pursuing a pragmatic relationship that respects Georgia’s sovereignty and cultural identity. This stance resonates with a growing segment of the population that values independence over integration at any cost.
A Conservative Path Forward
Georgia stands at a crossroads, with its political future deeply intertwined with its cultural identity and foreign policy direction. But the new conservative position championed by “Georgian Dream” emphasizes the importance of sovereignty, cultural preservation, and a balanced approach to international relations.
While the path forward is fraught with challenges, Georgia’s experience underscores a broader shift in the global order—one where nations are increasingly questioning the dominance of Western liberalism and asserting their right to chart their own course. For the world, this could signal the beginning of a more multipolar era, where diverse political and cultural systems coexist without one imposing its will on others.
In this context, Georgia’s new national-conservative stance is not a step backward but a deliberate choice to uphold its unique identity in an increasingly polarized world.
