At this online Policy Dialogue, panelists discussed the right of assembly and dispersion, media freedom and the role of the church in the affairs of the state, against the backdrop of the recent anti-Pride/LGBT violent demonstrations, and the possible repercussions for the implementation of the April 2021 EU deal, as well as the country’s progress towards Euro-Atlantic integration.

Speakers reflected on key challenges remaining, including the forthcoming local and parliamentary elections, judicial reform, and regional security, as well as ongoing efforts by Russia to influence developments in the country. The speakers from the Parliament of Georgia represented both government and opposition views about the current events and the April 19 EU-deal. In terms of the implementation of the April 19 agreement, Giorgi Khelashvili cited the resolution of the politicised justice cases and reported on the ongoing reforms in accordance with the agreement; however, he deplored the political polarization and the lack of productive, constructive, and substantive engagement from the opposition side. Salome Samadashvili, on the other hand, raised the opposition’s demand for the resignation of Prime Minister Garibashvili, as well as the Minister of Internal Affairs, for lack of leadership in response to the violence during the protests and the death of the cameraman Lekso Lashkarava.