Episode 2: Georgia Elections 2024 Guide
Russian Pressure on Abkhazia - US Pressure on Georgia - New NGO fund - Strike & Protest - New Party List of Georgian Dream
Welcome to the second episode of the Georgian Elections 2024 Guide! If you haven’t seen our first episode, I recommend checking it out—we dive deep into the parties and the party system in Georgia.
Today, we’ll be covering some key developments shaping the current political landscape. First, the Georgian government has announced plans to create a new fund for NGOs. This comes on the heels of controversy surrounding the "Transparency on Foreign Influence” that targeted NGOs with foreign funding.
There’s also Russian pressure on Abkhazia, a region central to Georgia's ongoing territorial conflict with Abkhazians and Russia. This pressure could have serious implications for the country’s national security, particularly as tensions flare up during the election season. The way this issue plays out could shape public opinion on foreign policy and Georgia’s relationship with both Russia and the West.
Meanwhile, two U.S. congressional bills aim to keep Georgia on a Western path. One of them, the MEGOBARI Act, applies diplomatic and economic pressure to ensure Georgia remains committed to its Euro-Atlantic trajectory. The Georgian Dream government has expressed concern over this external influence, framing it as undue pressure from the U.S.
Georgian Dream, the ruling party, has unveiled its candidate list for the upcoming elections. The lineup is always closely watched, as it reveals whether the party is bringing in new energy or sticking with established figures. This could be a deciding factor in how voters perceive the party's readiness for the future.
Additionally, there are two ongoing protests in the country that are not drawing attention. Workers at Evolution Gaming are on strike, demanding fair wages and better conditions, while protestors against the mining company Georgian Manganese have gathered in front of the parliament, protesting damages the company has inflicted on their housing and demanding fair compensation.
Let’s dive deeper into each of these topics!