Euroscepticism in Georgia – Local Policy Dialogues and Policy Memo

15/04/2025

As the world is going through a wave of de-democratisation and the rise of illiberal regimes, unfortunately, Georgia is no exception. In parallel with the severe backsliding of democracy, the country saw the ruling party’s decision to freeze negotiations with the EU – a decision that led to a rapid deterioration of relations between Tbilisi, Brussels, and most Western capitals.

Disinformation targeting the EU and pro-democratic NGOs in Georgia has become a significant local challenge, effectively shaping public opinion. The spread of anti-Western rhetoric has gone hand in hand with an accelerating democratic backsliding, as European integration and its benefits rely on democratic reforms.

The new policy memo "The Politics of Euroscepticism in Georgia and Its Resonance in Society" by Salome Minesashvili and Erekle Gozalishvili served as a basis for both local dialogues. It confirms the effectiveness of anti-Western propaganda, as a result of which a portion of the Georgian population—though not a majority—believes that the West has allegedly played a role in Russian aggression, that the EU seeks to influence Georgia, and that it poses a threat to Georgian traditions. Furthermore, the EU's public relations often prove to be insufficient and ineffective, with many important EU projects failing to reach the public effectively.

In order to tackle disinformation against EU policies, understanding the relationship between democracy, European integration, and socio-economic challenges is crucial. Anti-EU and anti-democratic groups attempt to undermine this connection. European integration serves as a mechanism for democratic reforms, which is vital for achieving progress across all sectors. Democracy plays a key role in addressing issues like unemployment and healthcare as well, by promoting transparency, accountability, and public participation.

Despite diverse challenges, there remains strong support for EU integration in Georgia. Participants believe that the country, which has overcome many obstacles in its history, is expected to overcome this one as well.

The policy dialogues in Zugdidi and Batumi on March 18th and 19th brought together local civil society representatives and politicians to foster evidence-based policy discussions and tackle societal polarisation.