Georgia: a year of protest left deep wounds

In March 2025, analysts summed up the results of a series of protests and political repressions in Georgia, linking this with the stop of European integration and the growth of internal polarization. A year of civil dissent and harsh government responses has led to significant fragmentation of the political landscape and delays in key reforms. International partners expressed concern about the level of respect for human rights and the independence of the judiciary. Sanctions against individual officials and calls for dialogue followed high-profile arrests of opposition leaders. This worsened the investment climate and delayed major infrastructure projects with Western donors. The internal result is a decline in trust in institutions, increased migration of skilled workers, and a protracted political crisis that makes it difficult to focus on economic development. Experts believe that restoring trust will require steps on three fronts: restoration of political competition, guarantees of media freedom and independent justice.