Georgian president defends disputed election and demands EU change approach

Georgia's president, Mikheil Kavelashvili, has used an exclusive interview with Deutsche Welle to declare the country's October 2024 parliamentary election the cleanest in a decade, to insist his ruling Georgian Dream party never abandoned the goal of European Union membership, and to demand that Brussels "change its attitude" toward Tbilisi if accession is to move forward.

The interview, conducted by DW correspondent Juri Rescheto, comes after months of street protests triggered by the government's decision to freeze EU accession talks and by the passage of a controversial "foreign agent" law that critics have labelled the "Russia law" because of its resemblance to legislation used by the Kremlin to suppress civil society.

Election claims contradicted by observers and protesters

Kavelashvili, a former professional footballer who entered politics ten years ago, told DW: "I have been in politics for the last 10 years. Compared to all previous ones, the most recent elections went off better than any before. Without any violations." That assessment sits in direct conflict with findings from the European Parliament and international election observation missions, which highlighted shortcomings in the vote count, media balance and the use of administrative resources.

Georgian Dream secured a parliamentary majority in the October ballot, but the opposition and civil society groups alleged widespread ballot stuffing, voter intimidation and procedural irregularities. The disputes ignited sustained demonstrations in Tbilisi and other cities, with protesters demanding a rerun and the resignation of the government. Kavelashvili dismissed the demonstrators as "misled and externally influenced," claiming they serve foreign interests opposed to Georgia's European integration rather than the welfare of Georgian citizens.

EU accession frozen but president sets 2030 readiness target

The European Council granted Georgia candidate status in December 2023, but the European Commission subsequently recommended that accession negotiations not be opened until Tbilisi addresses concerns over democratic backsliding, media freedom and the independence of institutions. In June 2024 the Georgian government announced it would pause the process until 2028, a move that intensified domestic unrest.

Kavelashvili insisted the pause was not a rejection. "The Georgian Dream government never refused to join the EU," he said. He cited polling showing roughly three-quarters of the population favour integration and argued that because Georgian Dream commands about 60% support, the same voters back both the party and EU membership. "If 80% of the population supports joining the EU, and 60% supports Georgian Dream, what does that mean? It turns out the majority supports both EU membership and Georgian Dream," he said.

Looking ahead, the president offered a concrete horizon: "By 2030 Georgia will be ready to join the EU, but right now we don't know whether the EU's view will change or stay the same. Sometimes they recognize this government, and sometimes they don't. It's absurd." He added that the EU must "change its attitude toward Georgia," starting with media coverage, if the country is to join the bloc.

Foreign agent law remains a flashpoint

One of the sharpest points of contention is the Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence, adopted in May 2024 over a presidential veto and mass protests. The legislation requires non-governmental organisations and media outlets that receive more than 20% of their annual revenue from a "foreign power" to register with the Ministry of Justice as "organisations serving the interests of a foreign power." Failure to comply carries fines and potential suspension of activities.

"This law is about transparency," Kavelashvili told DW. "NGOs are obliged to show all their documentation and be transparent about their spending, there's nothing more to it than that." Critics, including the Council of the European Union and the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe, have warned that the law's vague definitions and stigmatising label could be used to intimidate independent watchdogs and critical journalism, mirroring the effect of Russia's 2012 foreign agent legislation.

LGBTQ+ rights clash with EU acquis

On social policy, Kavelashvili drew a clear line between Georgian law and European standards. "The ruling party recognizes marriage only as a union between a man and woman. Our policy is based on the protection of traditional values and on ensuring that the younger generation is protected from LGBT-related promotional influences," he said. The statement confirms that Georgia's constitutional definition of marriage, amended in 2018, will not be altered to accommodate the EU's equality directives, which require non-discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation.

The president also asserted that the constitution "clearly guarantees the civil rights of all citizens, including minorities. Discrimination in any form is unacceptable." Rights groups argue that the government's rhetoric and recent legislative proposals, including a bill to ban "LGBT propaganda" in schools and media, constitute de facto discrimination and violate the European Convention on Human Rights, to which Georgia is a party.

Protest movement and government response

Since the election, demonstrators have repeatedly attempted to block government buildings and, in late November, tried to storm the presidential palace. The authorities have responded by tightening rules on public assemblies, increasing fines for unauthorised rallies and granting police broader powers to disperse crowds. Opposition leaders say the measures effectively criminalise dissent.

Kavelashvili characterised the unrest as a foreign-orchestrated campaign. "They serve foreign interests opposed to Georgia's ties with the EU and do not act for citizens' welfare," he said of the protesters. Opposition figures counter that the government is using the "foreign influence" narrative to delegitimise domestic criticism and to justify a drift toward authoritarian governance.

Economic context and the cost of stalled integration

Georgia's economy grew by an estimated 7.5% in 2023, driven by tourism, remittances and a surge in Russian trade following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. However, the International Monetary Fund has warned that political instability and the suspension of EU integration reforms could deter foreign investment and jeopardise access to the EU's single market, which accounts for roughly 25% of Georgian exports. The EU has also withheld 30 million euro in macro-financial assistance pending progress on the nine conditions set out in the Commission's 2023 enlargement report.

Business groups in Tbilisi have urged both sides to de-escalate. The Georgian Chamber of Commerce and Industry estimates that prolonged uncertainty could shave 1.5 to 2 percentage points off GDP growth in 2025. The government, meanwhile, has deepened energy and transport links with Azerbaijan, Turkey and China, framing diversification as a hedge against Western pressure.

What the EU expects before talks resume

The European Commission's 2024 enlargement package reiterated nine steps Georgia must take before accession negotiations can open. They include: strengthening the independence of the judiciary; depoliticising senior appointments in law enforcement and the prosecutor's office; ensuring a level playing field for media; repealing or amending the foreign agent law to align with Venice Commission recommendations; protecting the rights of LGBTQ+ persons; and addressing political polarisation through inclusive dialogue.

So far, Tbilisi has not signalled willingness to amend the foreign agent law or to reverse the constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. The Commission's next progress report is due in autumn 2025, and the Council will decide in December whether to grant a negotiation mandate. Until then, Georgia remains a candidate country in name only, with the accession process effectively on hold.