From Beacon of Democracy to Illiberal Orbit: Georgia’s Uncertain Future

On the 100th day of the ongoing protests in Georgia, a panel bringing together experts in Georgian politics and international relations took place at the Central European University. The aim was to provide critical insights into the challenges the Georgian democracy faces and the broader regional significance of the country.

Together with Professor Kornely Kakachia (Tbilisi State University/Georgian Institute of Politics), Ambassador Natalie Sabanadze (Chatham House), and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Ambassador David Dondua, Hannes Meissner discussed the underlying causes of Georgia’s democratic backsliding, institutional erosion, elite power consolidation, and external influences. The panel also explored the geopolitical ramifications of these shifts, particularly in the context of growing Russian influence and the European Union’s wavering engagement. With Georgia’s political trajectory mirroring broader illiberal and autocratic trends across Europe, the discussion further assessed the role of international actors, civil society, and opposition forces in countering democratic decline. For more information on the event, please follow this link.

In front on site: Dr. Hannes Meissner, Ambassador David Dondua and the Moderator of the Panel, Jaba Devdariani. Copyright: CEU