Democracy in Georgia collapses: opportunities for Russia, China and Iran

Democracy in Georgia collapses: opportunities for Russia, China and Iran

Georgia in Afghanistan use

in 2004, although Georgia was not a member of NATO, the country sent its soldiers to Afghanistan to join the USA and other members of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). This made Georgia the largest non-Nato membership contribution to this operation. In 2005 the then US President George W. Bush visited the capital of Tbilisi. The road that leads to the airport was renamed "George W. Bush Street" in honor of Bush.

The current state of democracy

This street sign is still available, but today democracy is in Georgia, a small, strategically located nation with 3.7 million inhabitants, in Danger . In Washington, D.C. Express both Republicans and Democrats in a cross-party attempt to support the Megobari Act.

The term "megobari" means in the Georgian "friend" and the supporters of the law say that it is aimed at strengthening democratic practices, human rights and the rule of law in Georgia. It would impose US sanctions, visa restrictions and asset locks against officials who are held responsible for elections, corruption and political repression. However, the US legislators warn that Georgia quickly gets under the influence of Russia, China and Iran.

criticism of the government

For more than 200 days, demonstrators have been filling the main street of Tbilisi and wearing Georgian, American and EU flags. Many of them wear masks to protect themselves from identification by the government, which according to anti-corruption groups has increasingly installed Chinese surveillance cameras . Anyone against that of Amnesty International as repressive new law violates, risks fines of up to $ 2,000

The reaction of the authorities and international influence

A spokeswoman for Georgian Dream had no statement on the subject of the Chinese cameras. According to Transparency International, one of the anti-corruption organizations, demonstrators are violently arrested and tortured. Last year, the United States imposed sanctions against the then Interior Minister of Georgia, Vakhtang Gomelauri, because of “brutal and violent rapids against media members, opposition and demonstrators.”

According to Levan Makhashvili, a member of the Georgian Dream and chairman of the Committee for European Integration of the Georgian Parliament, the protests were largely peaceful. However, he claimed that there were violent demonstrators that should be punished. "There is a law: If you challenge state institutions, then you have to be ready to carry the consequences," he said.

political crisis and influence from outside

In October last year, parliamentary elections took place in Georgia, which were not assessed by international election observers as neither free nor fair. The opposition decided to boycott the new parliament, and without contradiction by the Georgian Dream politicians, a number of draconian, Russian laws were said goodbye to the Georgian society and The relationships have strained to important western allies.

The European Parliament passed a report last week that says that the manipulated elections have marked a "clear turning point towards an authoritarian government in the EU candidate country" and is calling for new elections and a return to the path of democratic reform.

China's increasing influence in Georgia

The influence of China's influence in Georgia is also growing. Last year, the government terminated a contract with a Georgian, US and European consortium for the construction of the Anaqlya deep sea port on the Black Sea. Instead, the contract was awarded to Chinese state companies, some of which are under US sanctions.

The Georgian Dream also finds friends in Iran. In May last year, the new Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, flew to Tehran, to take part in the funeral of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. In July he returned to the inauguration of the new President Iran.

The trade between Iran and Georgia is booming, mainly due to the Georgian imports of Iranian oil and oil products. A deteriorated relationships with the USA

The once strong relationship between Georgia and the USA disintegrates. The outgoing US ambassador in Tbilisa, Robin Dunnigan, criticizes the "anti-American rhetoric" practiced by the government. In an interview with RFE/RL, she explained that the leaders of Georgian Dream a Private letter to the Trump administration would have sent, which was "threatening, insulting and dubious" and was extremely difficult in Washington.

Levan Makhashvili by Georgian Dream blames the deterioration in the relationships between the bid administration: "We were very surprised at the statements of the ambassador. We had the feeling that many people simply have no interest in reviving these connections and try to install as many blockages or obstacles as possible."

The Megobari Act

The megobari act with the aim of the influence of China, iran and Russia in Georgia Fighting is sponsored in the US representative house by Joe Wilson, a Republican from South Carolina, and in the Senate of Jeanne Shaheen, a democrat from New Hampshire. The law has already received approval in the House of Representatives and was brought in in the Senate. If it is adopted in the Senate, it must go back to the House of Representatives if changes have been made, and then to sign to President Donald Trump. The supporters are pushing for a quick farewell.

"The Georgian population has made it clear that it has euro-atlantic efforts, and the United States must continue to support you against Georgian Dream's efforts to erod her democratic institutions," said Shaheen in an interview with CNN. "At a time when Russia tries to undermine democracies in the region, we cannot take our eyes away from an important partner who tries for a free and democratic future."

outlook on the political future

Georgier himself say that the law could be a strong weapon to protect Georgia from the abyss. "If sanctions not only signal, but also pain, then the oligarchs notice that," said Zviad Adzinbaia, doctoral student at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. "In this case you have a hard time."

makhashvili wiped a possible threat from the Megobari Act, but realized that “This law is a symbol that we have several voices in the US K Congress, which for whatever reason is not interested in normal relationships with Georgia.”

ia Meurmishvili, editor -in -chief of the international journalism initiative Independence Avenue Media, said to CNN: "Elections are the basis of all democracies and the only legitimate way of changing governments. If the Georgian opposition decides to reject the voices, risk a confusing signal - which Perhaps difficulties will understand why an important democratic instrument is given up. ”

Giorgi Gakharia, a former Prime Minister of Georgia and leader of the opposition party "Für Georgia", is in the crosshair of Georgian Dream. The authorities have accused him of treason, which most western observers describe as a politically motivated attack. He threatens up to 20 years in prison, and he is currently outside Georgia. His party says that the upcoming local elections in October "could be the last democratic battle to stop Georgia's drifting into authoritarianism."

He said to CNN: "While the Megobari Act offers hope of increased western integration, international pressure alone cannot reverse the current development of Georgia. The regime is working intensively to eliminate all credible alternatives, but I am convinced that Georgian society has the will and the courage to resist and to take our lawful space back as long as the world and remains vigilant. ”