“Bidzina Ivanishvili” by Saeima (Wikimedia: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:PM_Bidzina_Ivanishvili.jpg), CC BY-SA 2.0

In 2003, Georgia had a democratic breakthrough. The Rose Revolution ousted the remnants of the state socialist regime and transitioned Georgia into a burgeoning democracy. At the time, the country was considered a case study of democratization and Georgians have since widely backed Western integration, with support of EU accession sitting at 88%. Nonetheless, that democratic future has not panned out and the current administration does not reflect the will of the people. However, these are not failings of this government, but rather its design.

The conservative, populist Georgian Dream (GD) party has been in power since 2012. During this time, the party has centralized power within the executive, intimidated opposition parties, and interfered with the media, judiciary, and civil society. While pluralistic, Freedom House describes Georgian democracy as only partly-free and notes “oligarchic influence” at play. Backsliding has been a gradual shift from a country concerned about the health of their institutions, to one focused on the interests of the party in power. For GD, these interests revolve around their party head, Georgian billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili. This is exemplified by the 2024 general election.

Ivanishvili made his money in Russia during the 1990s, returned to Georgia in 2003, and founded GD in 2012. Later that year, he served as prime minister for one year, then as Chairman of GD for a decade, and is now the Honorary Chairman of GD. Despite changes in title, Georgians know him to be the power behind the party. 

Ivanishvili has been known to economically support his hometown of Chorvila. The area has well-paved roads, equipped schools, and financial subsidies for families, all of which is funded by the billionaire. They are also staunchly GD and very loyal to Ivanishvili. While by no means a crime, this cash infusion speaks to a larger force at play in Georgian politics: money.

An oligarchy is a government controlled by a small number of wealthy individuals, aiming to advance their own interests. This, in turn, deepens inequality and erodes vertical accountability, or the public’s ability to hold the government accountable. In the case of Georgia, this small number of individuals is largely just one: Ivanishvili. As for his interests, while he moved back to Georgia in 2003, the Honorary Chairman maintains relations with Moscow and still does business in Russia. Therefore, he holds a personal and financial interest in Russia deepening ties with Georgia. 

As such, GD has taken multiple steps to distance themselves from the EU. This includes taking actions against EU recommendations, like the politicization of the Central Election Committee. Or by deviating from EU values, like through discriminating against LGBTQ+ individuals. Most notably, in 2024, GD suspended talks of EU accession until 2028. When GD was formed, it was more ideologically inclusive and a number of members held different positions on the EU. However, as time has passed, those deviating from Ivanishvili’s pro-Russia stance have been pushed out. 

But, as stated previously, EU ascension is popular in Georgia. Moreover, the 2008 invasion of Georgia left 20% of the country under Russian occupation. All this, plus the war in Ukraine, has caused Georgian public opinion of Russia to be low. While GD has been able to convince some voters they aren’t against their geopolitical interests, the party has found other ways to gain electoral support.

Clientelism is the transactional exchange between politicians, brokers, and voters to gain political power. This can include vote-buying, patronage, and/or threats and intimidation. In “Buying, Expropriating, and Stealing Votes” by Isabela Mares and Lauren Young, the authors describe the characteristics of individuals most vulnerable to be targeted for clientelism: strong partisanship, reciprocity, and lower economic status. In Georgia, a heavily partisan and economically depressed state, it is unsurprising that there has been a long history of clientelism in elections. However, the 2024 election takes the cake. 

In October of 2024, Georgia held their most recent general elections. GD won the presidency, prime ministership, and 89 of the 150 parliamentary seats. However, this election was rife with controversy. International election observers from the OCSE, EU, and NATO reported compromised secrecy, intimidation, and pressure on voters, especially those working in the public sector. An estimated 245,000 ballots were manipulated. 

This election was the boiling point for Georgian backsliding. Economic interests behind GD’s political agenda resulted in the overrepresentation of wealthy individuals, over the general public. The most obvious example being Georgia’s continued, and strengthening, relationship with Russia, despite public outcry. 

GD is pushing Georgia into authoritarianism at rapid speed. The European Parliament does not recognize the current GD administration and has called for a re-elections since November of 2024. Additionally, opposition members are boycotting parliament, leaving GD to pass through whatever legislation is on their docket. In just one year after the 2024 elections, the parliament has passed restrictions on LGBTQ+ individuals, violence against opposition and members of the media has increased, and EU accession talks have ceased. Despite public pushback in the form of protests and civil society organizing, GD has not been dissuaded. When money holds power in society, the real leader of Georgian politics does not even technically hold a position.