Georgia Balances Protests and Tourist Surge

For residents of Tbilisi, the weekend routine involves marching through the Armenian quarter. Crowds gather in Avlabari Square to head toward the Bridge of Love, eventually reaching Freedom Square and the parliament building. Their chants target the government of Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze. This weekly ritual has defined the city’s public life for years. The target of these demonstrations is Georgian Dream, the party that has held power since 2012. Protesters accuse the ruling group of increasing authoritarian control. A central grievance is the party’s decision to suspend talks on joining the European Union. This move has shifted the country’s trajectory closer to Moscow in the eyes of many citizens.

The political crisis reached a boiling point in late 2024. On October 26, 2024, Georgia held parliamentary elections that many considered contested. Protests began two days after the vote. The movement peaked on November 28, 2024. On that date, the government announced it would not place the opening of EU negotiations on its agenda before the end of 2028. Monday marks the two-year anniversary of those elections. The anniversary highlights the duration of the ongoing unrest.

A paradox characterizes the current situation in Georgia. While many citizens push for greater democracy and closer European ties, the country is seeing a boom in tourism. Visitors are drawn to the nation’s historic sites, its post-Soviet atmosphere, and its natural landscapes. The Georgian National Tourism Administration reports that 2025 saw more than 5.5 million international tourist visits. This figure represents an 8.4% increase from 2024. It is nearly ten times the number of visitors recorded two decades ago, a time when approximately 560,000 tourists came to the country.

The influx of visitors includes large numbers from the Middle East and Russia. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, tens of thousands of Russian citizens have moved to Georgia. These newcomers bring capital and open businesses. However, they also exert strong pressure on the real estate market by purchasing homes across the country. This dynamic fuels local discontent. Many Georgians still view Russia as an occupying power. This sentiment stems from the wars in the early 1990s against Russian-backed separatists in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, as well as the brief conflict in August 2008.

Georgia is a republic roughly the size of Ireland, with a population under 4 million. It emerged from the Soviet Union in 1991. The country sits between Russia and Turkey, alongside Armenia and Azerbaijan. Its attractions include mountain villages along the Georgian Military Road and ancient Orthodox churches overlooking rivers. The port city of Batumi offers a lively Black Sea atmosphere, while Tbilisi provides a cosmopolitan experience with a rich underground scene. The capital’s repurposed industrial spaces remind some observers of 1990s Berlin. The Rustaveli Theatre, a symbol of national independence, was renovated 20 years ago. Bidzina Ivanishvili, who founded Georgian Dream in 2012 and served as prime minister from 2012 to 2013, financed the renovation. He made his fortune in Russia during the 1990s.

The relationship between Georgia and Russia is defined by contradiction. Diplomatic relations were severed after the 2008 conflict. Russian military control was consolidated over Abkhazia and South Ossetia. These regions account for approximately 20% of Georgian territory. Despite the diplomatic break, Moscow remains a vital economic partner. Trade, tourism, remittances, and energy imports support the Georgian economy. The GDP rose by 7.5% in 2025. This marked five consecutive years of expansion. However, the economy still faces challenges. Unemployment, low wages, and widespread poverty persist. Many rural areas are experiencing depopulation.

The domestic political crisis is also part of wider geopolitical tensions. Relations with Brussels have deteriorated recently. The European Union has criticized the Georgian government’s record on the rule of law and political repression. Many analysts believe a stronger Russia in the Ukraine war could increase its ability to exert pressure on the Caucasus region. The future of Georgia, a country with limited domestic support and international isolation, is closely linked to these external forces.

The next scheduled milestone for the political movement is the continuation of the Saturday Marches. These protests have become a permanent fixture in Tbilisi’s urban landscape. The government maintains its stance on EU negotiations, keeping them off the agenda until 2028. Tourist numbers are expected to remain high as the country continues to attract visitors from across the globe. The economic data from 2025 shows a clear trend of growth in international arrivals. The political standoff in Tbilisi continues without a scheduled end date in the official government calendar.