Politics and sports in Georgia have failed to blend harmoniously
In the middle of a contentious election year, Georgia's football triumph brought together a nation divided. On March 26, the nation made history by qualifying for the European Championship tournament, defeating Greece in a nail-biting playoff decided by penalties. Tbilisi echoed with cheers, horns, and fireworks as Nika Kvekveskiri's penalty kick sealed the win at Dinamo Stadium.
Rati Shubladze, a sociologist and football fan, shared the country's jubilation. "Politics may divide us, but football unites us," he exclaimed, leaping in front of his TV. The community was overjoyed, momentarily setting aside their differences for a shared celebration. However, the party didn't last long as political undercurrents soon surfaced.
Just minutes after the victory, Tbilisi's mayor, Kakha Kaladze, and Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, both from the ruling Georgian Dream party, took to the stage at Republic Square. Kobakhidze attempted to associate the party's leadership with the football team's success, but his speech was quickly overshadowed by a chorus of boos. The crowd, still riding high on their team's victory, had no interest in politics encroaching on their athletic achievement.
Politicians from the opposition party, the United National Movement, were quick to criticize Kobakhidze, with Devi Chankotadze, an MP, posting on social media, "That's the only poll you need to see" - referring to the booing. Unfazed, Kobakhidze and his Georgian Dream allies continued their efforts to link the party's success with the football team's triumph, bestowing the Order of Honor on team members.
The following day, Kaladze claimed that the Georgian Dream coalition laid the groundwork for on-field success, stating, "Without peace and calmness, this result wouldn't have happened." Some Georgians were unimpressed, shaking their heads at the blatant politicization of the sporting victory. However, Shubladze anticipated both pro-Georgian Dream and opposition forces using the tournament this summer to score political points.
As the Euro 2024 tournament nears, Georgia, ranked 77th in the world, will face stiff competition in Portugal, ranked 7th. Despite the challenge, Georgia has a reasonable shot thanks to its group stage draw, which includes less fearsome opponents like Turkey, ranked 35th, and the Czech Republic, ranked 40th - similar in ranking to two teams Georgia previously bested during qualification, Norway and Greece.
The tournament's attention will undoubtedly shine a light on Georgia's European Union membership bid. "Georgia will have an opportunity to showcase its national identity on the international stage," said Joel Rookwood, a lecturer on sport management at University College Dublin. However, the spotlight may also expose Georgian Dream's conflicting statements concerning EU membership and its stance on EU values, particularly regarding LGBTQ rights.
In the face of mounting criticism, the Georgian Dream government recently halted the EU accession process until 2028. Their mixed messages about EU commitment, coupled with their recent proposed constitutional changes that raise democratic and human rights concerns, have raised questions about their dedication to embracing EU values. As the country gears up for the tournament, the public remains skeptical about politicians attempting to co-opt the team's success for political gain.
- Sports, specifically football, seemed to have a unifying effect amid the contentious politics and general news of the election year in Georgia, as Rati Shubladze, a sociologist and football fan, noted, saying, "Politics may divide us, but football unites us."
- Despite the success of the football team, political undercurrents quickly resurfaced, as Tbilisi's mayor, Kakha Kaladze, and Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, both from the ruling Georgian Dream party, attempted to associate their party with the teams' success shortly after the victory.
- In the wake of Kobakhidze's speech being met with boos, political rhetoric intensified, with Devi Chankotadze, an MP from the opposition party, United National Movement, commenting on social media, "That's the only poll you need to see" - referring to the booing.
- However, as the Euro 2024 tournament approaches, the focus on politics and Georgia's European Union membership bid may overshadow the sporting achievement, as Joel Rookwood, a lecturer on sport management at University College Dublin, stated, "Georgia will have an opportunity to showcase its national identity on the international stage," but the spotlight may also expose conflicting statements concerning EU membership and Georgian Dream's stance on EU values, particularly regarding LGBTQ rights.
