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On Tuesday, January 21 at 12:00 p.m. ET, the Atlantic Council hosts an #ACFrontPage conversation featuring President Salome Zourabichvili on the current political landscape in Georgia and the role Russia plays in undermining democratic processes in Europe and beyond.

2024 was a turbulent year for Georgia. The country’s parliamentary elections in October were marred by serious internationally recognized voting irregularities. With support from Moscow, Georgian Dream has used this power to crack down on civil society, free media, and political opposition. The party has also taken steps to further distance the country from its Euro-Atlantic path, contrary to the will of the majority of Georgian citizens to join the European Union and NATO. Most recently, this culminated a decision by Georgian Dream chairman Irakli Kobakhidze (the current occupant of the role of prime minister) to suspend negotiations to join the European Union until 2028.

In response, hundreds of thousands of Georgian citizens took to the streets in Tbilisi and across the country to demonstrate against Georgian Dream’s aggressive attempts at repression and for a Euro-Atlantic future. Zourabichvili played a vital role in backing the pro-democracy protests and is considered by protestors as the rightful president of Georgia until free and fair elections are held.

Zourabichvili, in conversation with Ia Meurmishvili, chief international correspondent at the Cipher Brief, discuss what’s next in Georgia’s fight for democracy. Daniel Fried, Weiser family distinguished fellow at the Atlantic Council, joins to provide opening remarks.

This edition of #ACFrontPage, hosted by the Eurasia Center, will take place at the Atlantic Council’s new global headquarters in Washington, DC and be livestreamed on Atlantic Council TV, YouTube, Facebook, and X.

An #ACFrontPage Event

Atlantic Council Front Page is our premier live ideas platform for global leaders to discuss the defining challenges of our time. #ACFrontPage is a high-level event series featuring top newsmakers across multiple digital platforms. Harnessing the convening power and expertise of the Council’s sixteen programs and centers, #ACFrontPage leverages the Council’s capabilities in social media, press, and digital outreach to spotlight the world’s most prominent leaders and the most compelling ideas across sectors and engage new audiences eager for nonpartisan and constructive solutions to current global challenges. This widely promoted program features the Council’s most important guests and content serving as the highlight of our programming.

Featuring

President Salome Zourabichvili

Moderated by

Ia Meurmishvili
Chief International Correspondent
The Cipher Brief

Opening remarks by

Fellow

Daniel Fried

Weiser Family Distinguished Fellow

Economic Statecraft Initiative Eurasia Center

Eastern Europe Democratic Transitions

Presented by

The Eurasia Center’s mission is to promote policies that strengthen stability, democratic values, and prosperity in Eurasia, from Eastern Europe in the West to the Caucasus, Russia, and Central Asia in the East.

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