Crackdown on Georgian Protests Raises Fears Over Democracy [[1]Violent clashes between protesters and police are escalating in Georgia, raising serious concerns over the future of democracy in the nation. Police have raided the offices of opposition parties and bolstered their efforts to suppress widespread demonstrations calling for new parliamentary elections.
Tensions boiled over following the disputed October parliamentary elections that saw the ruling Georgian Dream party retaining power. The opposition and the pro-Western president, Salome Zourabichvili, have denounced the results, alleging election fraud with support from neighboring Russia.
Since the election, the opposition has taken to the streets, with tens of thousands participating in late-night rallies demanding a new vote. Violence erupted on Thursday after the government announced that it was suspending EU accession talks. Tensions during recent protests have led to around 300 detentions and dozens injured including both protesters and police officers.
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The European Union condemned the government actions. Concerns expressed about backsliding. “Serious
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What specific actions by the Georgian government are cited as raising concerns about the erosion of democracy?
## Crackdown on Georgian Protests Raises Fears Over Democracy: An Interview
**Host:** Welcome back to the program. Joining us today is Dr. Sophia Kavtaradze, a political analyst specializing in the Caucasus region. Dr. Kavtaradze, thank you for being with us.
**Dr. Kavtaradze:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Dr. Kavtaradze, Georgia has been experiencing intense protests for several months now. Can you shed some light on the root causes of this unrest?
**Dr. Kavtaradze:** Certainly. The protests stem from a deeply felt belief among many Georgians that the October 2024 parliamentary elections were not free and fair. The ruling Georgian Dream party, which has close ties to Moscow[
(https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/12/02/georgia-tbilisi-protests-eu-explained/)], has been accused of manipulating the electoral process, fueling widespread opposition and mistrust.
**Host:** The situation seems to have escalated significantly recently. We’re seeing reports of violent clashes between protestors and police, as well as raids on opposition party headquarters. How concerned are you about the potential erosion of democracy in Georgia?
**Dr. Kavtaradze:** I am deeply concerned. The crackdown on peaceful protests, the use of excessive force, and the targeting of opposition voices are all red flags. They point towards an alarming trend of authoritarianism and a disregard for fundamental democratic principles. The international community needs to pay close attention to these developments and exert pressure on the Georgian government to respect the right to peaceful assembly and ensure a genuinely democratic process.
**Host:** What are the potential consequences if the government continues down this path?
**Dr. Kavtaradze:** The consequences could be severe. Continued suppression of dissent could lead to further instability, polarization, and potentially even violence. It would also damage Georgia’s reputation internationally, isolating the country and hindering its aspirations for closer ties with Europe and the West.
**Host:** Thank you for your insightful analysis, Dr. Kavtaradze. This is a situation that warrants close attention from the global community.
