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.
