Georgia's Political Slide: The Fall from Democratic Aspirations to Authoritarian Reality

Georgia's political landscape has dramatically shifted as opposition leaders face imprisonment or exile under the current ruling party, which seeks to ban major dissent groups. Despite Georgia's past aspirations to join the EU, its descent into authoritarianism has shocked many, leaving its democratic future precarious.

Over the past year, Georgia has witnessed a transformative shift in its political landscape. Opposition coalitions once competing for parliamentary influence now find their leaders jailed, exiled, or charged, as the ruling party moves to ban opposition groups.

This development has stirred concern among international observers, notably from Brussels, which described Georgia's democratic institutions as weakened, with judicial independence compromised. Former diplomats, like Sergi Kapanadze, warn that the country is on the brink of one-party rule.

Economic ties with the West weaken as Georgia increasingly turns to Russian and Chinese markets, raising strategic concerns. Meanwhile, government crackdown on opposition parties continues, sparking fears for the country's democratic and economic future.

(With inputs from agencies.)