Author : Ricardo Silvestre
For most Portuguese, for some time, Georgia may have been Fiji: a far-away exotic place, known to our country via spirited men’s national rugby matches. That notably changed when we saw, in our screens of choice, Nana Malachkhia waving, defiantly, the European Union (EU) flag against water cannons, repression, and illiberalism. That resonated in our small Iberian country that still has in it’s living memory what it means to live under a repressive regime, and also because we are one of the most pro-EU Member States in the bloc. This was confirmed by your columnist when, upon arriving in Tbilisi to attend last year’s Black Sea Security Conference organised by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation and the European Liberal Forum, and after leaving my bags at the hotel, I walked Shota Rustaveli Avenue. The main artery was calm, as this was the in the period pre-election, but where I knew protests happened (and continue now) from the brave women and men of Georgia, fighting for the future of their country. Apart from the beauty and the story of the place, one other thing impossible not to notice, particularly for a staunch defender of the project of building a European union, is the blue flags with the yellow stars stencilled in the walls of buildings.
The importance of Georgia was reinforced by the frank conversations during the Conference. Much of the future of the European project goes through the South Caucasus, being relating to energy, maritime transport, security, and by being a stopgap to Putin’s expansionist intentions. However, there was something disconcerting for someone that have been following, very closely, the transformation of the United States (US) Republican Party. This was a party that prided itself of being a supporter of those fighting for democracy, of people’s freedom and self-determination. Now it has devolved into a “MAGA” movement, populated by radical conservatives, America First nativists, white supremacists, Christian Dominionists, antidemocratic and anti-liberalism zealots, embolden by the Trump “era”. The conviction of some our friends at the Conference, from Georgia and the larger region, that this transformation could be mitigated because there will still be “adults in the room” in a (possible at the time) second Trump Administration, seemed unrealistic to me.
Your columnist had the opportunity to express that opinion (twice), when generously invited to give a contribution. The Republicans in Congress, I added, were to be expected to completely fold to a “one leader rule”, that is better compared, for example, not to Georgia but to North Korea. What we have been seeing with the Grand Old Party since confirmed those fears: the almost complete abdication of its politicians, elected members, and leaders, the siding with Russia, the anti-European sentiment, the defence of the most irresponsible policy decisions, the giving up of the duties expressed in the First Article of the Constitution. There are honourable exceptions, worth mentioning, showing that some lawmakers in the US Congress have the resolve to propose laws to defend those in the struggle to decide their own destiny.
That is the case of the MEGOBARI Act, approved by the Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee, with a similar bill introduced in the House of Representatives. In both it is proposed that the US should support Georgian civil society, boost bilateral cooperation, have an interest in protecting and securing democracy in the country, uphold its constitutional obligation to advance the country towards membership in the EU and NATO. It also defends that it should be the policy of the US to support the ambitions of Georgians, to help combat Putin aggression, including through sanctions on trade with Moscow, and the implementation and enforcement of worldwide sanctions on Russia. Also crucial in these bills is the call for members of the political governance in Georgia to respect the freedoms of peaceful assembly, association, and expression, including of the press. That these leaders should act in accordance with the rule of law and encourage a vibrant and inclusive civil society. Equally, for the Government of Georgia to release all persons detained or imprisoned on politically motivated grounds and drop any pending charges against them, and to thoroughly investigate all allegations emerging from the recent national elections. These proposals are bipartisan, with the House bill having nine co-sponsors from the Democratic Party and nine from the Republican, and in the Senate two from each party.
These were not the only initiatives in Washington to stand with the Georgian people. There is also the Georgian People’s Act, submitted in the previous Congress, requiring the US Department of State to develop a long-term strategy toward Georgia, including a review of military assistance, and a pause to funding that provides support to the government of Georgia. There is also the letter to Irakli Kobakhidze (April 26, 2024), from the Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen, decrying the attacks on Georgian civil society, and opposing the intention of the government then to go against the wishes of the Georgian people, that consistently supports the drive for a EU membership. However, regardless of these significant proposals, the possibility of seeing MAGOBARI Act approved in the two chambers of Congress, and then signed into law by President Trump, let’s be honest, seem to be flimsy at best. There is a clear fifth column of Russian interests in the Republican Party, and especially in his leader, which is beyond concerning. This makes the actual Administration a clear and present danger to Europe and Europeans. All of it compounded by the MAGA movement actions in the EU to promote extreme right-wing parties and ideologies, or by extremists organisations like the Heritage Foundation, already in the process of dismantling the American liberal experiment, planning to attack the EU from inside.
What can be done? Here is a small list, with the help of a friend.
Remain united. In Georgia, necessarily, but also across the democratic world that cares about the future of this country, but also others that have their democratic systems and institutions under attack.
Stay focused. Time is a great healer, it is said, but not in this case. The passage of time makes people get distracted, lose stamina, make the usurpers consolidate their power.
It looks like the world is getting more politically irrational by the say, and there is no better example than what we are seeing coming out of Washington, but we need to keep the prize in sight: the return of democracy to Georgia, and the freedom of its people to pursue their objectives, to became members of the EU and NATO (this last one, if it exists by then).
Take it seriously. The adversaries of progress, liberalism and democracy are all in, and they will not relent until they are beaten. Their livelihood and thirst for power is always there and tends to get more brutal with time.
Help create awareness. Use your platform, whatever it is, social networks, on a podcast, on a letter to your favourite newspaper, in a communication with governments and political parties that care about liberal democracies.
Help to increase the pressure in the United States, in the European Union, and in the United Kingdom, to intensify the pressure on Ivanishvili, his family, the network that that sustain his regime, and key members of his political team.
As described here, we can, we must, believe that in the end, heroes will win. If it has not happened, it is because the struggle is not ended. Georgia has a story of heroes. They are now also in the streets of the country, in the words and deeds, in the new coalitions that are formed to help Georgians have a better future. ძალა ერთობაშია is where new heroes will be forged.
