For most of its decade-plus in power, the ruling Georgian Dream-dominated government has shunned militaristic displays during Independence Day festivities. But this year’s celebration featured a large military parade on May 26, marking a departure from past practices.
The Independence Day ceremonies put the country’s political divisions on full display. Dueling speeches by the prime minister and president in the morning of May 26 featured dire rhetoric and personal insults.
President and Commander-in-Chief Salome Zourabichvili spoke first, lambasting government policies that she asserted are diverting Georgia from the path of European integration. Parliament on May 28 gave its final approval to the controversial ‘foreign agents’ law, overriding a presidential veto. European Union officials have repeatedly said that the ‘foreign agents’ law will halt013-e) the country’s EUaccession process.
“Today, as the specter of Russia looms over us, partnership and rapprochement with Europe are the true path to preserving and strengthening our independence and peace,” Zourabichvili said. “Those who sabotage and undermine this path trample upon and damage the peaceful and secure future of our country, hindering the path towards becoming a full member of the free and democratic world.”
Then, it was Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s turn. He discussed Georgians’ hard work and sacrifice that has allowed the country to preserve its sovereignty. In the middle of the speech, he spoke about Georgia’s enemies and existential threats, including in that group Zourabichvili, who he claimed has “betrayed” the country.
“Recent events in Georgia’s history and the ongoing developments in the contemporary global landscape have underscored with remarkable clarity that sovereignty stands as the paramount safeguard for a nation's security,” Kobakhidze said, referring not so subtly to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and mass protests across Georgia in opposition to the ‘foreign agents’ law.
As in years past, the leaders addressed new military recruits. Natalie Sabanadze, Georgia’s former ambassador to the EU, said that this year’s incorporation of a military parade into Independence Day events was likely designed to send a signal about who is in charge. By law, the president is commander-in-chief, but in practice the military operates under the Ministry of Defense. “In the ongoing open confrontation between the government and the president, the army finds itself in a precarious position,” she added.
Later, Zourabichvili offered a counter of her own. In perhaps the most important development of the day, the president proposed a plan to unify fractured opposition parties into one bloc with the potential to beat Georgian Dream at elections in October.
Dubbed the “Georgian Charter,” the plan would entail widespread governmental reforms, including repeal of the ‘foreign agents’ law, reforming the justice system – something the EU has identified as a hindrance to membership – and ensuring free and fair elections. The plan would create a temporary council of current opposition parties to oversee implementation of these items. Ultimately, its goal is to fast-track Georgia’s EU membership and steer the country out of the current political crisis.
It remains to be seen whether Zourabichvili’s proposal will help Georgia’s quarrelsome opposition elements to come together. Even before the president’s announcement, opposition parties disagreed on how to unite and continued to jockey for power. So far, a handful of parties have promised to sign on.
“At the moment, the opposition spectrum is fragmented with political parties trying to find their political identity and compete with limited resources,” said Sabanadze, the former EU envoy. “In this context, simple unification may be more damaging to their chances [than] more strategic alignments. However, the broad framework agreement under the auspices of the president bears little cost.”
Protests are likely to continue while the focus for opposition parties and activists now shifts to winning parliamentary elections scheduled for October. The biggest risk for them is losing momentum and seeing a poor turnout on election day. “The ruling party certainly hopes to ride this tide, counting on summer holidays and the natural decline in protest spirit,” Sabanadze predicted.
Back in Tbilisi during Independence Day festivities, concerns over the country’s future were present but largely subsumed by a celebratory mood.
A convoy of helicopters flew over downtown after the president and prime minister spoke; fighter jets painted the red and white of Georgia’s five-cross flag in the sky. Meanwhile, the area of the city along Rustaveli Avenue, the recent scene of mass protests, was transformed: jubilant Georgians played games, admired the achievements of national athletes, and watched performances of regional dances.
Near the parliament building, a government-crafted exhibit attempted to portray a bright view of the present and future for onlookers. The display, featuring posters with the images of leading intellectuals and artists from Georgian history, downplayed the EU’s displeasure with the government’s recent moves, while casting Brussels’ decision last December to give Tbilisi a green light to begin the accession process as a crowning achievement. Citizens could share in that achievement by having their photos taken in front of a large blue banner with a gold star, features of the EU’s flag.
The exhibit’s organizers probably intended the display to spark excitement. But given developments over the past two months – with protests often taking place in this exact spot and the combative words of the country’s leadership spoken at the rally a few hundred feet away – the exhibit came across as a clumsy propaganda effort.
