On October 26, Georgia will hold its first fully proportional parliamentary elections, where citizens will elect 150 members of parliament. These elections take place amid heightened political tensions and increasingly complicated relations with the EU and the U.S, following controversial actions by the ruling “Georgian Dream” party, including the adoption of the law “On Transparency of Foreign Influence” (the so-called “Foreign Agents Law”) and anti-LGBTQ legislation, which resulted in the temporary suspension of Georgia’s accession to the European Union.
With 81% of Georgians strongly supporting EU membership —a reflection of both a historical choice and the constitutionally declared foreign policy priority (Constitution of Georgia, Article 78)- leaves no question mark that the country’s foreign policy direction stands as one of the most critical issues in the 2024 elections. This is especially significant following Georgia’s attainment of EU candidate status in 2023, making the upcoming vote a crucial moment in shaping its future path toward European integration.
“Russia or the West?” and “Peace or War?”- The Main Political Parties and 2024 Election Narratives
The 2024 parliamentary elections carry significant political weight for Georgia. Voters face a choice between the ruling party, “Georgian Dream,” which has held power for the past 12 years and aims to secure a constitutional majority in parliament, and the opposition parties. In a strategic move to meet the electoral threshold, the opposition factions have united to form four major coalitions to maximize their chances of representation: “Unity to Save Georgia,” “Coalition for Change,” “Strong Georgia,” and "For Georgia”- which brings together both old and new faces for Georgian politics.
The campaigns and the narratives crafted by the major political parties regarding the importance of the elections are rather noteworthy. The ruling party portrays this election as a choice between “war and peace,” uses the example of Russia’s war in Ukraine to illustrate that Georgia could face a similar fate. On the other hand, the opposition and the President of Georgia frame it as a referendum on the country’s foreign policy direction. They believe that the outcome of the elections will determine whether Georgia continues on its path toward membership in the European Union or risks losing this historic opportunity for closer alignment with European and Euro-Atlantic structures.
Georgia at Crossroads: The Voice of pro-EU Youth in 2024 Elections
Georgian youth strongly support the country’s European and Euro-Atlantic integration, recognizing that building a brighter future lies with the West. Young people between the ages of 18 and 29 make up about a fifth of Georgia’s voters. However, in the last parliamentary elections of 2020, only 18.8% took part, which so far indicated the low involvement of Georgian youth in political processes and civic activities.
Nevertheless, the events of 2023 and 2024, particularly youth protests against the Foreign Influence Transparency Law (commonly referred to as the “Foreign Agents Law” and the “Russian Law”), highlighted the growing importance of youth activism and their role in shaping the country’s political direction.
Georgia’s pro-European “Gen-Z”
It is essential to highlight that Georgia’s new generation—often called “Gen Z”—is significantly different from the older generation. Born into a free and independent country, while at the same time experiencing Russia’s 2008 war, the Kremlin’s aggression, and ongoing occupation, they are well aware of the price of freedom, peace, and democracy.
Unlike their parents, they speak English, not Russian. They travel freely to Europe and study in Western institutions, taking advantage of scholarship opportunities in the EU and the United States. They are convinced that the future they aspire to will be achievable only in European Georgia, where these ideals will be fully accepted and protected. Their minds are shaped by genuinely European values, and they are determined to live in a country that upholds freedom, democracy, and independence. For these young Georgians, their country’s path is clear: it must be European, and it must be free.
Georgian Youth: Supporting the EU, Not Political Parties
Despite their clear pro-European stance, most young people do not feel represented by any political party, and they believe that no party fully addresses their interests, which has contributed to their low participation in electoral processes and civic activism in previous elections. However, the protests that unfolded in Tbilisi in response to the proposed controversial “Foreign Influence Transparency Law” demonstrated the deep commitment of young people to Georgia’s European future.
In March 2023 and again in April-May 2024, tens of thousands of students took to the streets, refusing to attend classes in protest until the government revoked the law. These events showcased their determination to ensure that Georgia remains on the path to European integration.
While no political party has fully captured the support of Georgian youth, their strong preference for EU membership—which promises them better education, job opportunities, and social and economic well-being—suggests that their votes may increasingly lean toward parties with pro-European opposition platforms. The October 2024 elections will likely see a decisive role played by this generation, as their priorities and values could shape the future of Georgia. As the country struggles with ongoing challenges, the voice of Georgia’s youth is set to be a critical factor in determining the direction of its democracy and its place in Europe.
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