Georgian political scientist calls for leadership amid ‘strong protests’

Political analyst Gia Khukhashvili on Monday emphasized the need for strong leadership as protests continue to grip Georgia, following the Georgian Dream Government’s move late last year to halt EU integration until 2028.

Speaking on the current political climate, Khukhashvili argued that the movement required direction from a figure with both political vision and resources.

“At this stage, [fifth President] Salome Zourabichvili has political resources,” he claimed and noted that while discussions within the pro-Western political sphere remained fragmented, unity should be focused on the country’s long-term geopolitical direction rather than electoral alliances.

“If we are talking about unity, it should not be in an electoral or party context, but in relation to the long-term vector of the country – is it heading towards Europe, or is it returning to the Russian Empire?” Khukhashvili said, adding that Zourabichvili was currently the only figure capable of coordinating such efforts.

However, he cautioned that electoral competition remained a separate issue, making unity within the political landscape challenging. While skeptical about the current political dynamics, he suggested that a concrete plan could bring much-needed direction to the movement.