A Disheartening Scene in Tbilisi
The atmosphere in Tbilisi on Saturday felt heavy, reminiscent of the preparations authoritarian regimes make to quell dissent – a sight familiar from cities like Moscow, St. Petersburg, Belgrade, and Kyiv. Police transported personnel in buses, and streets were cleared for vehicle movement, creating a sense of imposed order. Unlike protests in Russia, Serbia, and Ukraine, where demonstrators faced defeat or celebrated victory with visible resolve, a sense of expectation of failure permeated the Georgian opposition’s efforts.
Several factors contributed to this mood. The local elections presented a crucial opportunity for the opposition to gain political ground, potentially securing victories in Tbilisi and other major cities that could have provided a platform for policy implementation. However, the largest opposition parties opted to boycott the election, while smaller parties encouraged participation. This division proved detrimental.
The opposition currently lacks a unifying leader. Former prime Minister Mikheil Saakashvili,a controversial figure,is imprisoned following a politically motivated conviction,and his health is reportedly deteriorating under difficult conditions.
The dominant force in Georgian politics is Bidzina Ivanishvili, the country’s wealthiest individual. He founded the Georgia Dream party, which rose to power following Saakashvili’s military action in South Ossetia in 2008. South Ossetia, a region within Georgia’s borders, has been under Russian control sence conflicts in the 1990s. Saakashvili’s actions prompted a Russian military intervention, demonstrating Russia’s influence over Georgia.
Recent parliamentary elections were conducted under conditions widely considered unfair. Legislation mirroring tactics used in Russia – including the labeling of dissenting voices as “foreign agents,” asset seizures,and restrictions on critical media – has been implemented,creating an increasingly challenging environment for the political opposition. The elections were not endorsed by the OSCE or the EU, and sparked large-scale demonstrations in Tbilisi, drawing hundreds of thousands of participants. Saturday’s local elections were intended as a show of strength for both sides, but only the government demonstrated it’s power.
A telling anecdote emerged on Sunday morning. While having breakfast at a sidewalk cafe, a conversation at a neighboring table centered on Stalin and his relevance to the current situation. The waiter noted the discussion revolved around a perceived need for a strong leader.
Tbilisi itself is steeped in history, and the echoes of the past are palpable. Freedom Square, the site of Saturday’s protests, is where Stalin first gained international notoriety in 1907 after participating in a bank robbery that resulted in deaths.Nearby, the Presidential Palace stands in proximity to the seminary where stalin once studied and sang in the choir.
Georgia and its capital city are a tapestry of stories, but this particular narrative lacks a hopeful conclusion.
