2020-2021 Political Crisis in Georgia

Summary:

Information Guide concerning a political crisis developing in Georgia in the aftermath of the parliamentary election held in late 2020, which was settled by an agreement reached between the ruling party and the opposition in April 2021.

Further information:

Political tension in Georgia increased following the legislative elections held in late 2020, which attributed a third term to ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party. The opposition forces refused to recognise the electoral results and later withdrew their parliamentary representation in protest against alleged fraud and misconduct. Protests were held in the main Georgian cities.

In February 2021, a court ruled the detention of Nika Melia, the leader of the main opposition party National Movement (UNM), for failure to post bail in a trial where he was accused of participating in riots in 2019 and encouraging protesters to storm the parliament. The decision further escalated the political crisis. Prime Minister Georgi Gakharia announced his resignation on 18 February 2021 in an attempt to de-escalate the situation.

During a visit to Tbilisi on 1 March, European Council President Charles Michel took on the role of presiding the talks aimed at finding a solution to the political crisis. Christian Danielsson was later appointed as Mr Michel's personal envoy to mediate the dialogue between the ruling party and the opposition. An agreement was eventually signed on 19 April 2021. The deal included the release of two jailed opposition figures, a set of electoral and judicial reforms. It would also lead to the return of enough members of Parliament to allow it to convene and function.

Commentary and Analysis

Transparency International: Blog, 28/01/2021: Georgia's Anti-Corruption Reforms Stall Amid Political Crisis and Allegations of State Capture https://www.transparency.org/en/blog/cpi-2020-georgia-anti-corruption-reforms-stall-political-crisis-state-capture

RFE/RL, 18/02/2021: Five Things To Know About Georgia And The Political Crisis It's Slipping Toward https://www.rferl.org/a/georgia-political-crisis-five-things-you-need-to-know-ivanishvili-gharabasvili-gakharia-melia/31110248.html

Politico, 19/02/2021: What you need to know about Georgia’s political crisis https://www.politico.eu/article/what-you-need-to-know-georgia-political-crisis-giorgi-gakharia/

Euro|topics, February 2021: Opposition leader in prison: Georgia's PM resigns https://www.eurotopics.net/en/256664/

Atlantic Council: Blog, 23/02/2021: Experts react: What’s behind the crisis in Georgia? https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/experts-react-whats-behind-the-crisis-in-georgia/

The Irish Times: Opinion, 24/02/2021: The Irish Times view on Georgia’s political crisis: revisiting a Soviet past https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/editorial/the-irish-times-view-on-georgia-s-political-crisis-revisiting-a-soviet-past-1.4494182

EUObserver: Opinion, 24/02/2021: Georgia is facing the abyss, and calls on EU for help https://euobserver.com/opinion/151008

Civil.ge: Interviews, 25/02/2021: What Now? Experts on Ways Out of Georgia Crisis https://civil.ge/archives/401453

Carnegie Europe: Strategic Europe, 25/02/2021: In Georgia, a New Crisis That No One Needs https://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/83935

openDemocracy: ODR Opinion, 04/03/2021: Georgia is suddenly making international headlines. But its crisis isn't new https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/odr/georgia-has-been-crisis-long-time/

Carnegie Moscow Center: Commentary, 04/03/2021: Does Georgia’s Latest Crisis Have Global Implications? https://carnegie.ru/commentary/84005

German Institute for International and Security Affairs: SWP Comment No 26, April 2021: Deadlock in Georgia: Political Crisis and Regional Changes Need an EU Response https://www.swp-berlin.org/10.18449/2021C26/

EurActiv: Opinion, 06/04/2021: The EU should get serious about Georgia’s political crisis https://www.euractiv.com/section/eastern-europe/opinion/the-eu-should-get-serious-about-georgias-political-crisis/

OBC Transeuropa, 14/04/2021: Georgia: the EU speaks out on the political crisis https://www.balcanicaucaso.org/eng/Areas/Georgia/Georgia-the-EU-speaks-out-on-the-political-crisis-210023

EPC: Commentary, 30/04/2021: Georgia’s road ahead: Time for the EU to show some tough love https://epc.eu/en/publications/Georgias-road-ahead-Time-for-the-EU-to-show-some-tough-love~3e7c18

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News

EurActiv, 10/11/2020: Georgia opposition defies crackdown, stages new protests https://www.euractiv.com/section/europe-s-east/news/georgia-opposition-defies-crackdown-stages-new-protests/

Agenda.ge, 16/02/2021: Parliament suspends MP Melia, allows Prosecutor’s Office to demand his arrest https://agenda.ge/en/news/2021/419

EurActiv, 18/02/2021: Western allies concerned about deepening political turmoil in Georgia https://www.euractiv.com/section/all/news/western-allies-concerned-about-deepening-political-turmoil-in-georgia/

Agenda.ge, 18/02/2021: Ruling party confirms disagreement with PM Gakharia over Melia’s case https://agenda.ge/en/news/2021/438

Deutsche Welle, 18/02/2021: Georgia prime minister resigns over opposition leader arrest plan https://p.dw.com/p/3pW75

BBC News, 18/02/2021: Georgia PM Giorgi Gakharia quits over order to detain opposition leader https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-56111493

EurActiv, 19/02/2021: Georgia police detain dozens of pro-opposition protesters https://www.euractiv.com/section/europe-s-east/news/georgia-police-detain-dozens-of-pro-opposition-protesters/

The Guardian, 23/02/2021: Police arrest Georgian opposition leader after storming party HQ https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/23/police-arrest-georgian-opposition-leader-nika-melia-after-storming-party-hq

EurActiv, 23/02/2021: Georgian police arrest top opposition leader, use tear gas in party HQ raid https://www.euractiv.com/section/europe-s-east/news/georgian-police-arrest-top-opposition-leader-use-tear-gas-in-party-hq-raid/

Foreign Policy, 23/02/2021: Arrest of Georgia’s Opposition Leader Prompts Call for Sanctions https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/02/23/nika-melia-arrest-georgia-sanctions-protests/

Politico, 23/02/2021: Georgian opposition leader arrested amid political crisis https://www.politico.eu/article/georgian-opposition-leader-arrested-amid-political-crisis-nikanor-melia/

ERR News, 24/02/2021: Estonia expresses concern over Georgian political crisis https://news.err.ee/1608121105/estonia-expresses-concern-over-georgian-political-crisis

EurActiv, 24/02/2021: MEPs ask Charles Michel to mediate in Georgia https://www.euractiv.com/section/europe-s-east/news/meps-ask-charles-michel-to-mediate-in-georgia/

Politico, 24/02/2021: Georgia crisis tests Western push to check Russian influence https://www.politico.eu/article/georgia-political-crisis-nika-melia-opposition-west-us-europe-response-russia-influence/

LRT News, 26/02/2021: Lithuania ready to mediate in Georgia crisis – president https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/1353117/lithuania-ready-to-mediate-in-georgia-crisis-president

Euronews, 01/03/2021: I'm deeply concerned over Georgia's political crisis, says EU chief Michel https://www.euronews.com/2021/03/01/i-m-deeply-concerned-over-georgia-s-political-crisis-says-eu-chief-michel

Politico, 01/03/2021: Charles Michel presides over crisis talks in Georgia https://www.politico.eu/article/charles-michel-presides-at-crisis-talks-in-georgia/

The Irish Times, 01/03/2021: Georgia's feuding political forces welcome EU as crisis mediator https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/georgia-s-feuding-political-forces-welcome-eu-as-crisis-mediator-1.4498348

France24, 01/03/2021: EU launches mediation of Georgia crisis https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210301-eu-launches-mediation-of-georgia-crisis

EurActiv, 02/03/2021: EU to assess progress in Georgia mediation talks on 15 March https://www.euractiv.com/section/eastern-europe/news/eu-to-assess-progress-in-georgia-mediation-talks-on-15-march/

LRT News, 05/03/2021: Lithuanian and EU ministers set up group to mediate in Georgia crisis https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/1358921/lithuanian-and-eu-ministers-set-up-group-to-mediate-in-georgia-crisis

The Moscow Times, 10/03/2021: Russia Drops Info Bomb Into Georgia’s Political Crisis https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2021/03/10/russia-drops-info-bomb-into-georgias-political-crisis-a73203

EurActiv, 12/03/2021: Georgian Dream MPs hope political turmoil can be resolved https://www.euractiv.com/section/europe-s-east/news/georgian-dream-mps-hope-political-turmoil-can-be-resolved/

EurActiv, 23/03/2021: EU envoy heads back to Georgia to continue mediation https://www.euractiv.com/section/eastern-europe/news/eu-envoy-heads-back-to-georgia-to-continue-mediation/

EurActiv, 19/03/2021: EU mediator returns from Georgia empty-handed https://www.euractiv.com/section/europe-s-east/news/eu-mediator-returns-from-georgia-empty-handed/

EurActiv, 31/03/2021: EU-mediated Georgia crisis talks fail on second try https://www.euractiv.com/section/eastern-europe/news/eu-mediated-georgia-crisis-talks-fail-on-second-try/

Eurasianet, 31/03/2021: No European solution for Georgian crisis https://eurasianet.org/no-european-solution-for-georgian-crisis

EurActiv, 18/04/2021: EU, US call on Georgia lawmakers to sign compromise pact https://www.euractiv.com/section/europe-s-east/news/eu-us-call-on-georgia-lawmakers-to-sign-compromise-pact/

Reuters, 19/04/2021: EU brokers deal to end political crisis in Georgia https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/eus-michel-says-he-has-brokered-deal-end-crisis-georgia-2021-04-19/

Associated Press, 19/04/2021: Georgian opposition parties sign deal to end crisis https://apnews.com/article/4eb9e689a8fd67dd3a5da06cb2cdbede

Euronews, 20/04/2021: Opposition parties in Georgia sign deal to end political crisis https://www.euronews.com/2021/04/20/opposition-parties-in-georgia-sign-deal-to-end-political-crisis

Politico, 20/04/2021: EU brokers deal to end political deadlock in Georgia https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-brokers-deal-to-end-political-deadlock-in-georgia/

EurActiv, 21/04/2021: Calls for rallies threaten EU deal in Georgia https://www.euractiv.com/section/europe-s-east/news/calls-for-rallies-threaten-eu-deal-in-georgia/

EurActiv, 21/04/2021: Michel’s mediation in Georgia revealed https://www.euractiv.com/section/eastern-europe/news/michels-mediation-in-georgia-revealed/

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Official

European Council: Press Release, 01/03/2021: Remarks by President Charles Michel after his meeting in Georgia with Prime Minister Garibashvili and representatives of opposition political parties https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2021/03/01/remarks-by-president-charles-michel-after-his-meeting-in-georgia-with-prime-minister-garibashvili-and-representatives-of-opposition-political-parties/

European Council: Press Release, 08/03/2021: President Michel mandates Christian Danielsson to engage as personal envoy, in EU-mediated political dialogue in Georgia https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2021/03/08/president-michel-mandates-christian-danielsson-to-engage-as-personal-envoy-in-eu-mediated-political-dialogue-in-georgia/

S&D Group: Newsroom, 09/03/2021: S&Ds: Time to end political crisis in Georgia for the sake of country’s stability and Euro-Atlantic future https://www.socialistsanddemocrats.eu/newsroom/sds-time-end-political-crisis-georgia-sake-countrys-stability-and-euro-atlantic-future

EU EEAS: Georgia: Joint statement of the Spokespersons of the EU High Representative/Vice-President and of the US Department of State on the EU mediation (18 April 2021) https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/96782/

US Department of State: Press Release, 18/04/2021: Statement on Georgia’s Political Impasse https://www.state.gov/statement-on-georgias-political-impasse/

European Council: Press Release, 19/04/2021: Remarks by President Charles Michel at the signing ceremony of the Georgia agreement with President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2021/04/19/remarks-by-president-charles-michel-at-the-signing-ceremony-of-the-georgia-agreement-with-president-of-georgia-salome-zourabichvili/

European Council: Press Release, 20/04/2021: Remarks by President Charles Michel after his meeting with President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili in Tbilisi https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2021/04/20/remarks-by-president-charles-michel-after-his-meeting-with-president-of-georgia-salome-zourabichvili-in-tbilisi/

European Council: Press Release, 20/04/2021: Remarks by President Charles Michel after his meeting with Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili in Tbilisi https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2021/04/20/remarks-by-president-charles-michel-after-his-meeting-with-prime-minister-of-georgia-irakli-garibashvili-in-tbilisi/

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