Political scientist Khukhashvili: ‘protests must persist in fight for justice, not fade into nihilism’

Georgian political analyst Gia Khukhashvili on Tuesday called for Georgia’s current protests spared by alleged election rigging to remain resolute and not slide into nihilism, stressing that the pursuit of justice should not be abandoned. “The main task is that this protest, which exists now, does not turn into nihilism and remains a protest,” Khukhashvili said. “The fight for justice must continue without faltering.”

The analyst claimed the protest movement was “essential” to sparking changes within the existing system. “The main thing is to initiate cracks in the system through this process. Today’s actions are understandable, acceptable, and necessary. We must recognize that the world is at a transitional stage, with the United States’ position serving as a pivotal factor in forming the West’s stance on this issue,” he said.

Khukhashvili emphasized that time was of the essence. “A transitional government must emerge, leading to significant policy decisions on international relations. Only then will Europe and America coordinate their actions. Until this occurs, it’s crucial that the protest maintains momentum,” he explained.

He further added that any effective challenge to the government would require an awareness of the system’s resilience. “People must understand that regardless of the scale of protests, if the system remains strong, progress will be difficult. The police, the security apparatus, and the judiciary are the critical points where silent resistance to government control should emerge,” Khukhashvili noted. He warned that, regardless of protest size, a government prepared to manage dissent would make peaceful resolution challenging.