Learn how Georgian citizens have fought against their own Trump-like figure to get a glimpse of what may be ahead for the United States.
It’s the 148th day of protests in Tbilisi. Rustaveli Avenue, home to Georgia’s Parliament building, is once again blocked. Many activists face administrative fines of 5,000 GEL (approximately 1,800 USD) each for illegally crossing the road; some have accumulated multiple fines — three, five, or even nine. Human rights advocates argue that, in a country where the average monthly salary hovers around 2,000 GEL (and many earn significantly less), such substantial fines are excessively punitive. Recently, funds set aside to assist activists in paying these fines were frozen, and authorities have further escalated tensions by initiating criminal charges under three separate articles.
Georgia’s democratic resilience is being tested once again. Since regaining independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Georgia has become a focal point of geopolitical rivalry. Relations with Russia deteriorated sharply after Georgia’s pro-Western “Rose Revolution” in 2003, eventually culminating in Moscow’s backing of separatist movements in Abkhazia and South Ossetia and leading to a brief but consequential war in 2008. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Georgian government’s foreign policy began shifting away from its previously pro-Western stance, deepening domestic divisions.
A History of Resistance in Georgia
Georgia’s post-Soviet trajectory has been marked by repeated waves of political mobilization and resistance. The Rose Revolution in 2003 initially brought democratic hopes, but subsequent years exposed persistent challenges including authoritarian tendencies, political polarization, and elite-driven politics. The anti-Russian protests of 2019, triggered by the presence of a Russian lawmaker in Georgia’s Parliament, demonstrated both the power of mass mobilization and the government’s ability to withstand public pressure.
Since 2023, protests have become an everyday reality. The introduction of the Russian-inspired “foreign agents” law initially sparked intense domestic opposition and international condemnation, forcing the ruling Georgian Dream party to withdraw the controversial legislation temporarily. Although Georgian officials claim the bill is modeled on the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), critics argue this comparison is misleading. Unlike FARA, which involves transparency requirements for lobbyists working on behalf of foreign governments, the Georgian law targets a broad range of civil society organizations and media outlets receiving over 20% of their funding from abroad, branding them as agents of foreign influence. In a country with a fragile democratic ecosystem, many fear the law is designed not for transparency but for stigmatization and suppression.
Yet, exactly one year later, the parliament reintroduced and passed the same law, overriding the president’s veto and despite two months of continuous demonstrations. Civil society had hoped the 2024 parliamentary elections would provide an avenue for democratic change, but when this opportunity failed to materialize widespread domestic and international criticism of governmental legitimacy intensified.
The opposition, civil society organizations, and critical media outlets had united around a single message: maximum voter turnout. The campaign was built on the belief that mass participation could shift the political balance. However, what many failed to anticipate was the quiet introduction of new voting technologies — foreign to Georgia’s political and electoral landscape. For the first time, electronic vote counting machines and semi-electronic voter verification were used. Following the elections, multiple NGOs reported serious concerns, including instances where individuals allegedly voted multiple times using someone else’s ID. These irregularities, coupled with the fragmented opposition and a media environment tilted in favor of the ruling party, contributed to growing skepticism about the election’s integrity. As the expected breakthrough failed to materialize, domestic frustration deepened, and international observers began openly questioning the legitimacy of Georgia’s democratic processes.
On November 28, 2024, thousands again flooded Rustaveli street, protesting the government’s decision to halt accession talks with the European Union. Four months later, protests continue into their 148th day. Approximately one thousand protesters have received hefty fines, including famous actors, singers, journalists, opposition politicians, and other public figures. Around 30 activists have been imprisoned, and the bank accounts of several NGOs and foundations have been frozen.
From the controversial “foreign agents” law to violent crackdowns on peaceful demonstrators, the Georgian Dream party’s actions have sparked fierce resistance. Increasingly adopting authoritarian methods reminiscent of Russian governance, the government has targeted media outlets, civil society groups receiving international funding, and members of the LGBTQ community. Despite sustained opposition, the resistance movement has not yet converted its energy into decisive political change. Why has this happened? What strategies shape this resistance, and what lessons can be learned from Georgia’s past movements?
Mass Protests, Digital Activism, and the Fight Against Repression
Mass protests remain central to Georgia’s resistance strategy, regularly bringing demonstrators onto the streets. These large-scale mobilizations have occasionally pressured the government into temporary policy reversals, yet their sustainability and long-term impact remain uncertain.
Civil society organizations and activist groups significantly influence public discourse by documenting abuses and engaging international communities to exert diplomatic pressure. However, their effectiveness is increasingly constrained by escalating legal and financial restrictions imposed by authorities.
Georgians, especially young activists, continue vibrant street demonstrations and innovative digital campaigns, maintaining public awareness and momentum. Internationally, pressure from the European Union and the United States periodically influences governmental decisions. Still, its effectiveness remains limited due to Georgia’s complex geopolitical position between Russia and the West.
Additionally, opposition parties’ legal and institutional efforts are frequently frustrated by institutional capture and judicial bias, significantly limiting their effectiveness.
Significant challenges remain. Fragmentation within opposition groups, characterized by a lack of unified leadership or clear political alternatives, weakens collective momentum. Short-term policy reversals occur, but without comprehensive long-term strategies sustained political change remains elusive. Additionally, outreach beyond major cities remains limited, leaving rural and older demographics largely disengaged.
The Path Forward
To achieve sustainable success, Georgia’s resistance must move beyond reactive protests toward strategic planning. Building broader coalitions is essential. Developing a coherent electoral strategy involving effective voter mobilization, alternative political leadership, and targeted electoral participation is also critical. Building broader coalitions is essential — but not just in numbers. These alliances must bridge gaps between political parties, grassroots movements, civic initiatives, and professional associations, creating unified fronts around shared democratic values rather than partisan agendas. At the same time, developing a coherent electoral strategy involving effective voter mobilization, clear messaging, and targeted participation is critical. Many Georgians are deeply disillusioned with the current opposition landscape. Years of political infighting, unkept promises, and public missteps have left citizens exhausted and distrustful. In recent protests, some demonstrators have openly rejected the presence of opposition leaders, insisting that they not stand alongside people. There is a growing hunger for new political leadership — figures unburdened by past failures and who embody accountability, clarity of vision, and a real possibility for change.
Finally, reframing democracy as an inherently Georgian value — rather than something externally imposed — will consolidate broader national support.
Georgia stands at a crossroads. While the resistance demonstrates remarkable endurance, its success requires strategic recalibration. Lessons from Georgia’s own past and international movements underline the necessity of coalition-building, electoral strategy, and adaptability. Without these elements, authoritarian consolidation risks outpacing democratic resistance. The movement must evolve, embracing bold action guided by a clear, long-term vision.
Meanwhile, activists stubbornly prepare for tomorrow, readying for yet another protest — their daily routine now for 148 consecutive days.
