Georgia's predicament worsens following Melia's detainment - EU intervention is necessary
In the heart of Georgia, the political landscape has taken a tumultuous turn following the arrests of opposition leaders Nika Melia and Zurab Japaridze.
On May 29, Nika Melia, a prominent figure in the Coalition for Change, was detained. A week prior, on May 22, Zurab Japaridze, leader of the Girchi – More Freedom party, was arrested after refusing to collaborate with a commission investigating the United National Movement, the previous ruling party.
These detentions are part of a growing pattern of repression by the Georgian Dream (GD) government against opposition figures. The crackdown has also extended to diplomats, activists, and journalists, with many facing arbitrary entry bans and expulsions.
The V-Dem Institute's 2025 Democracy Report classifies Georgia as an "electoral autocracy," signaling a significant democratic regression since 2018. Furthermore, Georgia's standing on international freedom indexes has waned, reflecting the government's shift away from European aspirations.
The arrests and the ensuing crackdownhave created a challenging environment for political dissent and opposition. This has resulted in a shrinking space for political expression and criticism, further polarizing the political landscape in Georgia.
MEP Rasa Jukneviciene, voicing concern over the situation, recently wrote on social media, "Just now, another Georgian opposition leader, Nika Melia, was arrested on the street. A week ago - Zurab Japaridze. The situation in Georgia is getting worse. EU and Member states must act!"
The current political situation in Georgia is largely marked by increased repression, democratic regression, and a decline in democratic freedoms, which could have significant implications for international relations.
- The escalating repression by the Georgian Dream (GD) government, as seen in the arrests of opposition leaders like Nika Melia and Zurab Japaridze, has raised concerns about the country's migration and asylum policies, as more people may seek refuge from war-and-conflicts due to the deteriorating political landscape.
- The polarizing political landscape in Georgia, exacerbated by the ongoing arrests and repression, has led to heated debates in policy-and-legislation circles, with some questioning the country's commitment to upholding democratic values and its alignment with general-news trends indicative of democratic decline.
