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Articles Featuring Civic Idea’s Insights on Georgian Elections

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The articles written on the Georgian elections, in which Tinatin Khidasheli, the chairman of Civic Idea, participated on behalf of the organization.

DE GROENE AMSTERDAMMER

“It is not hard to guess why Civic Idea is the target of Georgian Dream. The NGO investigates, among other things, the role of oligarchs and Russian and Chinese money in Georgian politics. They recently published another report, the bottom line of which is: the major donors to Georgian Dream are all friends and brothers and cousins of Ivanishvili, and all have deepening business interests in Russia and China. In short: Civic Idea is an annoying busybody.”  LINK

la sentienella

DCNews

“We are at a unique moment where the government is transforming the geopolitical orientation and DNA of the nation,” said Tina Khidasheli, president of the NGO Civic Idea and former defense minister. “Georgia’s pro-Western course has always been an exception in the region. Of course, this will be a victory for Russia, but also for all the other authoritarian states that surround us.”

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Dagospia

“Georgia, caught between the authoritarian regimes of Iran, Russia and Turkey, was until now the only “buffer” country, both politically and economically, and the only alternative route to Russia for Central Asian and Azeri trade with the West. “Georgia’s pro-Western course has always been an exception in the region,” Tina Khidasheli, president of the NGO Civic Idea and former Minister of Defense, said yesterday. “Of course, this will be a victory for Russia, but also for all the other authoritarian states that border us.” LINK

Lapsi

“We are at a unique moment when the government is transforming the geopolitical orientation and the DNA of the nation,” said Tina Khidasheli, chair of the NGO Civic Idea and a former defense minister. “Georgia’s pro-Western course has always been an exception in the region. Of course, this will be a victory for Russia, but also for all other authoritarian states that limit us”.

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The guardian

“The government is openly pledging to transform Georgia into a one-party state – a move unprecedented in modern Georgian history,” said Tina Khidasheli, chair of the non-governmental organisation Civic Idea and a former defence minister.

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Articles Featuring Civic Idea’s Insights on Georgian Elections Read More »

“The Wall Street Journal” mentioned the civic idea in its article

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“The Wall Street Journal” mentioned the civic idea in its article, which refers to Russia’s obstructive policy in the democratic processes of Georgia and Moldova:

“This month the pro-Western Georgian nonprofit Civic IDEA issued a pair of reports documenting the extensive Russian financial ties of the ruling Georgian Dream party’s top donors.”- mentions the article

Full article: The wall street Journal

“The Wall Street Journal” mentioned the civic idea in its article Read More »

Information campaign around the Azerbaijani-speaking villages of Kakheti

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The Civic Idea team visited the Azerbaijani-speaking villages of Kakheti as a part of  “My vote for EU” information campaign.

The campaign served to inform the population and strengthen electoral activism as well as to lead a dialogue with the villagers, to listen to their local problems and to raise awareness about the European future of Georgia.

Within the campaign, together with volunteers, we visited the following Azerbaijani-speaking villages: Karajala, Kabali, Ganjala, Yormughanlo.

Information campaign around the Azerbaijani-speaking villages of Kakheti Read More »

“Civic Idea” monitors the 2024 parliamentary elections of Georgia.

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“Civic Idea” Monitors the 2024 parliamentary elections of Georgia. Within this initiative, the organization is conducting three-day  training in Kakheti Region.

Students, lawyers and civil society representatives will observe the elections in the Kakheti region, including Azerbaijani-speaking villages, in the name of the civil idea.

Our goal is to promote a fair and transparent election process!

“Civic Idea” monitors the 2024 parliamentary elections of Georgia. Read More »

Civic IDEA’s Chairperson, Tinatin Khidasheli, participated in an expert panel titled “Georgia’s Elections: Between Authoritarianism and Democratic Renewal”

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Civic IDEA’s Chairperson, Tinatin Khidasheli, participated in an expert panel titled “Georgia’s Elections: Between Authoritarianism and Democratic Renewal” at Forum 2000 in Prague. Alongside Vasil Sikharulidze (Atlantic Council of Georgia) and Rostislav Valvoda (Prague Civil Society Centre), the panel explored the critical stakes in Georgia’s upcoming elections.

In less than two weeks, Georgians will head to the polls in decisive elections, likely to determine whether the country turns towards closer ties with the West or falls further under Russia’s influence

Georgia’s upcoming elections in late October are pivotal. The victory of the ruling party could severely limit the country’s aspirations for EU and NATO membership. The stakes are high, and a strong, well-informed monitoring mission is essential to assess the fairness of the election process. While Russian interference is highly probable, this election may also mark the first time we see significant involvement from the PRC, given its growing interests in the region. What are the latest developments and challenges? What is the situation in the ranks of Georgia’s pro-Western forces? What can we expect if the ruling party prevails in the polls? These were the questions that were discussed during the panel.

“There is a great share of the Georgian public wanting a change from the current policies that are indeed taking a Russian direction,” noted the Prague Civil Society Centre’s Executive Director, Rostislav Valvoda, during the panel.

Civic IDEA’s Chairperson, Tinatin Khidasheli, participated in an expert panel titled “Georgia’s Elections: Between Authoritarianism and Democratic Renewal” Read More »

Civic IDEA held meetings in Washington DC with the partner organizations

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From September 24 to 27, 2024, Civic IDEA, alongside Democracy Research Institute and Courtwatch, held meetings in Washington DC with the partner organizations and US state agencies including The German Marshall Fund, National Endowment for Democracy, Atlantic Council, American Foreign Policy Council, Freedom House, USAID, National Press Center Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Congress, focusing on the pivotal 2024 Georgian elections.

Discussions highlighted that the ruling Georgian Dream party may face defeat, with the opposition offering diverse alternatives, though success depends on a strategic, unified campaign. Concerns were raised about Georgian Dream’s use of the church in political campaigns, with international scrutiny deemed essential to ensure fair elections.

 The meetings also addressed key challenges in Georgia, particularly the controversial Foreign Agents Law, and its impact on civil society, judicial independence, and EU integration. Participants emphasized the need for judicial transparency and anti-corruption reforms as vital to Georgia’s democratic progress.

Civic IDEA held meetings in Washington DC with the partner organizations Read More »

Civic IDEA, in collaboration with the Democracy Research Institute and Courtwatch, participated in a meeting hosted by the German Marshall Fund focusing on Georgia’s critical 2024 parliamentary elections.

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On September 25, 2024, Civic IDEA, in collaboration with the Democracy Research Institute and Courtwatch, participated in a meeting hosted by the German Marshall Fund in Washington, DC, focusing on Georgia’s critical 2024 parliamentary elections.

There is growing optimism that the ruling Georgian Dream party might lose power, as the opposition offers voters multiple coalition options. However, for success, a unified and well-coordinated campaign will be essential to build voter momentum, as public perception often determines electoral outcomes. Concerns were also voiced about the legitimacy of Georgian Dream’s campaign tactics, particularly its use of the church to influence political campaigns. International oversight and pressure are seen as crucial to ensuring a fair and transparent election process.

In addition to these discussions, the event also addressed other significant challenges facing Georgia, such as the controversial Foreign Agents Law. Civic IDEA and its partners examined the law’s implications, as well as its potential broader impact on civil society, judicial independence, and Georgia’s EU integration path. Key reforms, including the need for judicial transparency and anti-corruption measures, were underscored as vital for the country’s democratic progress.

Civic IDEA, in collaboration with the Democracy Research Institute and Courtwatch, participated in a meeting hosted by the German Marshall Fund focusing on Georgia’s critical 2024 parliamentary elections. Read More »

Civic idea’a Researcher Aksana Akhmedova has attended “International Democracy Day Brussels 2024”

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Civic idea’s Researcher Aksana Akhmedova has attended the conference  “International Democracy day” taking place in Brussels.

“In 2024, the year of elections, half the world’s population is going to the polls to elect new governments and representatives who will shape future policy. These elections are taking place in a context of global democratic backsliding, with half of all countries surveyed in a recent report experiencing democratic declines, and all regions showing an eroding respect for basic rights, including freedom of expression and assembly.” 

“IDD 2024 Brussels” was about “A year of elections”  and therefore an assessment of the current state of global democracy. 

The conference was held in the European Committee of the Regions, and was attended by members of the EU institutions, as well as activists and representatives of civil society from different countries – to discuss the state of democracy, its challenges and future opportunities.

Civic idea’a Researcher Aksana Akhmedova has attended “International Democracy Day Brussels 2024” Read More »

Tina Khidasheli is participating in the annual OSCE conference taking place in Warsaw.

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Tina Khidasheli is participating in the annual OSCE conference taking place in Warsaw. She addresses the participants in „Responding to “Foreign Agents” Legislation to Support Civil Society Resilience” session .

“The fundamental freedoms of peaceful assembly, association and expression are under increasing threat in many parts of the OSCE region. Governments across the region are introducing so- called “foreign agents” legislation (sometimes referred to as “foreign influence” or “sovereignty protection” laws) under the guise of transparency measures, which is often used instead to unduly restrict civil society activity. This legislation often arises in tandem with laws restricting media freedom, and other efforts to constrict and control civic space.”

Her purpose is to present its vision to the OSCE member states to identify concrete measures participating States, international organizations, and local civil society can take to address and mitigate the detrimental effects of these laws.

Event support & organizers: United States, Sweden, United Kingdom, Canada, Republic of Lithuania, Latvia, Czech Republic, Germany, Luxembourg, Estonia, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Norway, Finland and Poland

Tina Khidasheli is participating in the annual OSCE conference taking place in Warsaw. Read More »

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