Past event — This event ended 16 days ago.
Georgia: On the Brink of Oligarchy
About the event
Georgia is a country that stands at a crossroads. Will it choose closer integration with the European Union, as a large share of the population desires? Or will it deepen its relationship with Putin's Russia, as the country's oligarchic elite prefers? In conversation with Hans Gutbrod. Important lessons
Recent Georgian history offers important lessons about developments affecting all of Europe. In many ways, Georgia served as Putin’s testing ground, foreshadowing the events that would later unfold in Ukraine. After the Caucasus nation chose a pro-European course, Putin launched a war against Georgia. To this day, Russia continues to occupy part of the country.
The current situation
The current Georgian government has adopted a pro-Russian stance, with the wealthy oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili playing a powerful behind-the-scenes role. Despite massive public protests, the government pushed through the so-called ‘foreign agents’ law, modeled on Russian legislation. Critics fear this marks the beginning of a broader effort to silence independent media and opposition movements.
With political scholar Hans Gutbrod, we speak about the future of Georgia, and what that implies for the wider region and Europe. Will Georgia ultimately slide into oligarchic rule, or will the country, still an official candidate for EU membership, find its place in Europe?
