Democracy in danger: Lena Schilling about Georgia's apparent process!

Democracy in danger: Lena Schilling about Georgia's apparent process!

Batumi, Georgien - Today, May 16, 2025, the protests for democracy in Georgia, especially in the context of the process against activist Mzia Amaghlobeli. In a press conference, Lena Schilling critically commented on the state of democracy in the country and described the legal process as a sham process in which Amaghlobeli was banned and the defense was not heard. Such practices raise serious questions about the fairness of the legal procedure, which took place at the city court in Batumi. According to Schilling, absurd evidence of excessive indictment was cited, which questions the integrity of the judicial system in Georgia.

Schilling also spoke about the influence of Russia, the criminalization of critical voices and the repeated attacks on independent media. She warned that authoritarian thinking, mixed with the government's corruption, forms a global pattern that also affects Georgia. Despite the repressive situation, however, there is a lively civil society that tirelessly demonstrates for the freedom of Mzia Amaghlobeli and the values ​​of democracy. Thousands of people take to the streets every day to protest against the Georgian government's anti-European and pro-Putin policy.

hope and support for civil society

Lena Schilling sees the trial against Amaghlobeli as a test case for the European future of Georgia. It emphasizes the need to support democratic civil society in its struggle. Mzia Amaghlobeli is viewed as a voice of a movement that inspires many young women in Georgia and gives hope. The process itself, which is observed by international diplomats such as the German ambassador Peter Fischer and the Swedish ambassador Anna Lieberg, is followed by the population with a level of attention.

political situation and social challenges

The political situation in Georgia is very tense. According to report osteuropa.lpb-bw.de, a large part of the population is disappointed with politics and the prevailing clientele economy. The social living conditions have hardly improved, and more than half of the population has no stable income. The economic effects of Corona pandemic have further exacerbated the situation, which is illustrated by a high inflation and a weakening lari, the currency of Georgia.

Parliamentary elections took place in October 2020, in which the government party won "Georgian Dream". Despite the confirmation of international observers, the government faced massive allegations of the election fraud. These unrest led to a persistent political crisis, in the course of which several prime ministers resigned and demands for reforms were loud.

The political protests were sparked again in November 2024 when the population demonstrated against the deletion of the EU accession efforts. Surveys show that around 90% of the Georgian population advocate an EU accession, while the government party is planning to possibly suspend the process by four years. International pressure, especially on the side of the EU, USA and NATO, demands a withdrawal of the controversial law on "foreign influence", the adoption of which is considered a threat to the independence of Georgia.