Analyst warns Georgian authorities risk undermining future generations

Political analyst Lela Jejelava has cautioned that current policies in Georgia could limit opportunities for the country’s younger generations to enjoy normal recreation, leisure, and life, urging authorities to recognise public dissent.

Addressing her comments to citizens Thursday, Jejelava said that if the government saw a critical mass of people ready to challenge the regime, its behaviour may change. “You are, in effect, closing the path for your own children to enjoy normal life, leisure, and recreation. I believe that if the authorities see that there is a critical mass prepared to end this regime, their conduct will shift completely,” she said.

Jejelava criticised the “aggressive behaviour” of certain political figures linked with the ruling power, including Beka Odisharia, suggesting it stemmed from a “distorted perception of reality.” 

“They once believed [the founder and honorary chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party] Ivanishvili was all-powerful and could manage relations with the United States, predict the course of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, avoid sanctions, and broker deals between Russia and the West peacefully. Now they see that none of this has happened,” she added.