The ongoing impact of Russia’s military actions in Ukraine has become a central theme in the governing party’s election narrative.
Campaign billboards juxtapose harrowing imagery from war-torn Ukraine against serene scenes of Georgia to evoke a strong desire for stability.
In a nation of 3.7 million that shares a border with Russia and experienced a brief but tragic war in 2008, this message resonates deeply.
The opposition argues that the real danger lies in a potential erosion of democracy, coupled with the missed opportunity for European Union membership.
In December 2023, Georgia was granted candidate status for EU membership, but the process has now been stalled due to rising anti-Western sentiment and the controversial “foreign influence” law enacted in June 2024.
This law, which requires foreign-funded media and NGOs to register as foreign agents, sparked widespread protests, particularly among young Georgians who fear for their democratic rights.
Opponents liken the law to a Russian initiative aimed at suppressing dissent.
Bidzina Ivanishvili, the powerful leader of Georgian Dream, has threatened to ban opposition parties if he secures victory. He uses the label “United National Movement” to frame all opposition as a singular threat.
Concerns of war and associated risks dominate the narrative in pro-government media outlets.
Some narratives suggest that foreign influences aim to disrupt traditional values and assert that local civil society is complicit in a global conspiracy against the government.
In Kutaisi, several hundred supporters gathered to hear Nika Gvaramia from the opposition Coalition for Change, who emphasized Georgia’s European aspirations.
His coalition aims to rally Gen Z voters, who recently protested the “foreign influence” law.
Gvaramia characterized the election as a referendum on Georgia’s European future, insisting there is no legitimate threat to peace, framing such claims as Russian propaganda.
He stressed that the core issue facing Georgia is survival and making a choice between aligning with Russia or Europe.
The opposition hopes this election will pave the way for coalition governance, breaking Georgian Dream’s monopoly on power.
With Ivanishvili at the forefront, Georgian Dream is optimistic about securing a significant election victory.
However, critics point to high emigration rates as evidence of discontent, with 243,000 Georgians emigrating in 2023 alone.
Zviad Adzinbaia, a senior fellow at Tufts University, questioned the government’s claims of prosperity given the exodus of citizens.
The opposition has raised concerns regarding the insufficient number of polling stations for expatriates, with only 60 stations announced across 42 countries.
The EU, US, and UK have voiced alarm over Georgian Dream’s governance, highlighting fears of democratic backsliding.
The UK has suspended its security dialogue with Georgia, citing concerns over democracy and anti-Western policies.
The Kremlin maintains that it is not meddling in Georgia’s affairs, blaming the West for exerting pressure on Tbilisi.
Despite the geopolitical tensions, everyday concerns dominate the lives of many Georgians.
In a protest against environmental damage caused by mining, Tamaz Neparidze and his neighbors have been vocal about their struggles, distrustful of the government’s ability to resolve these issues.
“I’ve lost all hope,” Neparidze stated, expressing his intention to abstain from the upcoming elections.
