Giorgi Gakharia, former prime minister and current chairman of the opposition For Georgia party, has emerged as a critical voice in the unfolding crisis in Georgia, which is in the midst of escalating political unrest. 

Opposition parties and independent observers have widely condemned Georgia’s October general election as rigged. Allegations of vote manipulation and irregularities sparked mass protests, particularly in the capital, Tbilisi, where tens of thousands have gathered to demand the annulment of the election results and a rerun under international supervision. The demonstrations, led largely by young activists, gained momentum after the Georgian Dream government controversially pushed its agenda by putting the country’s EU integration aspirations on hold.

For Georgia secured approximately 8% of the vote in the October general election, reflecting its modest but significant position in Georgia’s fragmented opposition landscape. Gakharia, known for his pragmatic stance and appeal to moderate voters, has positioned himself as a unifier in the opposition's broader effort to challenge Georgian Dream’s dominance and advocate for the country’s European future. 

In an interview with bne IntelliNews, he discusses the government’s miscalculations, the role of international sanctions, the risks of escalating tensions, and his vision for navigating Georgia out of its current political and social crisis.

bne IntelliNews: In your opinion, how will events unfold? What should we expect before the New Year?

Giorgi Gakharia: It’s difficult to predict, but it’s clear that all sides are preparing for a showdown. This is not just an internal issue – it extends beyond the country, involving both our partner and friendly nations as well as those that are not. Everyone sees that it’s unlikely tensions will ease before the New Year, and each party is calculating their next steps. Internally, it’s evident that the government has backed itself into a corner.

They made a critical mistake on the opening day of parliament, underestimating the level of public outrage. By deciding to push through with their agenda and dismissing the will of the Georgian people, they effectively declared the end of the EU accession process. That move sparked the reaction we are now witnessing.

bne: Did Georgian Dream anticipate this kind of backlash?

Gakharia: No, they believed they had already subdued public opinion. They assumed that their strategy to exhaust the population had worked and that they could push their agenda through before the New Year, ensuring a free hand for the next four years. They thought society had no energy left to resist. But it was the youth who saved the day.

Interestingly, the international community was also closely observing what was happening in Georgia. They were waiting to see where the will of the Georgian people stood, and it became evident … following those absurd decisions by the government.

bne: What do you see as the critical components of the current situation?

Gakharia: The key now is tangible support from our strategic partners – not just verbal encouragement but concrete actions … Georgian society has demonstrated its capacity to fight for its rights and its European future. These young people are fighting for European values, and words alone are insufficient.

What’s needed now are specific measures, such as refusing to recognise the legitimacy of the government following these rigged elections and imposing sanctions on specific individuals. Without these steps, we cannot bring the government to the negotiating table. Internally, the public must continue with widespread protests to maintain pressure. Externally, we need non-recognition of the government and targeted sanctions against individuals.

bne: Are you referring to sanctions imposed by EU member states and the US?

Gakharia: We’re talking about EU and US-initiated financial sanctions. Beyond the rigged elections, this government has effectively killed the country’s European future, used disproportionate and illegitimate force against ordinary citizens, and cracked down on peaceful protests defending Georgia’s future.

I expect sanctions to materialise before the New Year. This will boost morale and give hope to the public. Then, as we enter the new year, we’ll face challenging political negotiations where all sides will have to make concessions.

No one should think they’re emerging as the ultimate victor here. No one is gaining any advantage. Unfortunately, the only things being damaged are the country and its people. We are all collectively in a systemic crisis, and to find a way out, everyone – government, civil society, opposition, the president, political parties – will have to make compromises.

bne: Is the government willing to make concessions?

Gakharia: Morally, the government is not inclined to compromise, but we must leave them no other option. They must be cornered, and they’re heading there themselves with their reckless actions. That’s why I believe this December will hold particular significance. However, ultimately, everything will be decided by late January or February, depending on the political agreement we can reach. Timing is critical.

Our collective task now is clear – this includes the government, which holds the most levers of power, the opposition, civil society and all institutions. The only truly independent institution left is the presidency; all others are subordinate to one man, even the Church. The primary goal must be to avoid actions that irreversibly harm the country's interests.

In short, this cannot escalate into violence. We’re walking a fine line right now, and this must not cross into violence. If it does, it won’t just be political interests at stake; we’ll set the country back by one or two decades. The sooner we emerge from this crisis, the greater the chance of avoiding catastrophic damage to the nation.

bne: Over 200 employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have resigned, as well as members of the Constitutional Court.

Gakharia: Employees in municipalities and city halls have followed suit, and the same is starting now within the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The issue of public servants is crucial because, historically, every government and political force has used public employees to serve party interests at some point. Depoliticising the public sector is vital for the country’s development, and I have always stood and will continue to stand, by their side.

bne: What is happening within the Ministry of Internal Affairs?

Gakharia: The Ministry of Internal Affairs is, after the military, perhaps the most patriotic institution in the country. These people have always stood by the Georgian people during crises – whether in the 2008 war or at other times — protecting sovereignty and fighting for our citizens … It will take time, but believe me, many patriots are working within it. I am confident that, despite their current endurance, their response will eventually be devastating to this government – or any similar government.

I hold great hope for the many conscientious officers I’ve worked with. They cannot tolerate everything indefinitely – it’s impossible. They have always served the state, not a political party or one individual. But now, imagine this: they are using force against ordinary citizens – not for the state, but to ensure the comfort and peace of one man.

They … may not express it openly, but deep down, these officers see and feel the frustration of those young people. Their anger is genuine, and their grievances are rooted in justice.

We can debate the form of their protest, but when you’re in power, especially as law enforcement, your duty is to protect people. How can throwing a flare, shouting an insult, or throwing an egg justify kicking someone – especially a child, a woman, or a young person – in the head? It’s incomprehensible.

bne: To what extent have the growing protests and public demonstrations unified the opposition?

Gakharia: They have indeed unified the opposition, and I’ll explain why – this is probably the first time I’m saying this publicly. Georgian Dream has managed to introduce issues into the political agenda that render party and political differences irrelevant.

Despite the significant differences between us … the Georgian Dream has placed us in a position where we are forced to temporarily set aside these party differences and work together on matters concerning the country’s return to Europe and restoring the integrity of elections. On these critical issues, we must support and strengthen one another.

bne: What role do you envision for yourself within the opposition?

Gakharia: Our role lies in consistently reminding the public that the Georgian Dream has surpassed the [former ruling] United National Movement [UNM] in its failures. When Georgian Dream mentions November 7 [when police violently dispersed peaceful protests against the UNM in Tbilisi], we will always remind them of November 30 [2024 when the Georgian Dream government used excessive force to suppress demonstrations]. The key difference is that one happened 15 years ago, and society has evolved since then. Everything around us has changed.

We are in a different era, and we must hold the government accountable for its actions today, not allow them to shield themselves with outdated comparisons to the past.

We need to understand that in Georgia, remaining in power for more than one term poses significant risks, and staying beyond two terms should be impossible. This government is in its fourth term already. We are a small, poor country … a government can’t remain in power for so long without it becoming counterproductive. It’s a fundamental rule of political science.

[Georgian Dream founder Bidzina] Ivanishvili uses his financial advantage to buy people’s will, but look where that’s gotten him. Values aren’t for sale. Sure, you can buy potatoes or some social benefits, but you can’t buy values. You might sustain the illusion for a time, but eventually, it collapses.

bne: No one is openly addressing the risks from Russia in this situation. Considering the current circumstances, how significant is this threat today?

Gakharia: Ultimately, I believe the decision to reject the EU integration process was driven by the hope that someone, leveraging a constitutional majority, could remove Article 78 from the constitution [setting out the Georgian government's commitment to Euro-Atlantic integration]. When this failed, they shifted gears – halting progress toward EU membership, for instance. It’s a simple, straightforward logic – far simpler than their conspiracy theories or “global war parties” narrative, which they use to mislead people.

bne: Doesn’t this chaotic situation in the country increase the risks posed by Russia?

Gakharia: Any radicalisation in Georgia, regardless of its cause or trigger, undoubtedly benefits Russia. It plays right into their hands. What we need is a calm, composed government with a state-oriented mindset, capable of steering the country out of this crisis.

The economic and political crisis here is advantageous for Russia, and that’s a fact. The government, however, appears indifferent. The risks have undeniably increased. Rejecting the EU process and pausing strategic partnerships with the United States only adds enormous security threats to the country.

This government is too focused on managing protesters in the streets, hiding their money and minimising the damage from sanctions. That’s why they issue illegal orders to the police to crack down on young people, while they go off to feast and drink.