What do Georgian youth mean when they say they are defending the European future?

Author: Topchishvili Mariam, Alumni /Editor: Aysel Afiyat

Main photo by Otar Gvritishvili, 18 April, 2024

If you ever find yourself at a protest in Tbilisi, one of the first things you’ll notice is the prevalence of European Union flags. As a Georgian citizen who strongly supports the country’s European aspirations, it came naturally for me to attend the protest carrying an EU flag. However, for many of my European friends whom I met during my Erasmus Mundus master’s programme, this sparked curiosity — why are so many young people holding EU flags during the protests?

In answering this question, I realised that beyond the injustices faced by the Georgian people, they (we) are in the streets first and foremost to defend their (our) European future. But what does that really mean?

Georgian and the European Union 

Historically, Georgia has often identified itself as part of European civilisation, despite periods of control by the Russian and Soviet empires. Since regaining independence in 1991, the country has pursued closer ties with the European Union, signing an Association Agreement and DCFTA in 2014, securing visa-free travel to the EU in 2017 and obtaining EU candidacy status in 2023.

However, these steps have not guaranteed full European integration. The Russian invasion of Georgian territory, active anti-EU disinformation campaigns, and political instability have complicated the process. 

Despite these challenges, the Georgian youth remain at the forefront of the fight for European integration, seeing it as a pathway to securing democracy, human rights, and stability.

What defines a ‘European future’?

One clear indication that this protest is primarily about Europe is that neither the rising cost of living, unfair elections, nor political instability triggered mass demonstrations. Mass protests were sparked after the statement by Georgia’s Prime Minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, on November 28, announcing the suspension of the EU accession process, which resulted in thousands of people gathering in front of Georgia’s Parliament.  Notably, before that, even the parliamentary elections – despite serious concerns among local opposition and international observers about potential rigging – had not led to large-scale protest.

Since November 28, I have attended many of the protests that have continued for 118 consecutive days and have spoken with numerous protesters. These interactions have allowed me to observe that when Georgian youth say they are defending the European future, they are referring to much more than just EU membership. It is even evident in the slogans that protesters are using, such as: “Our future is in Europe”, “I am Georgian therefore I am European”, “Girls just wanna have a European future”, and so on. 

 Their vision is rooted in several key principles:

• Democracy and Rule of Law: Young people see EU integration as the guarantee for the development of participatory democracy in Georgia. Many Millennials or Gen Zs have grown up witnessing or hearing stories of political instability and civil wars in the 1990s, corruption scandals, and the erosion of democratic institutions. For them, aligning with Europe means having fair and independent courts, ensuring fair elections with equal participation of women and youth, and protecting basic human rights.
• Freedom and Human Rights: The EU represents a commitment to individual freedom, equality, and minority rights. Recent protests in Georgia have highlighted concerns over government crackdowns on freedom of expression and civil rights. For many young activists, defending a European future means ensuring that Georgia remains a country where fundamental rights are respected for all, including ethnic, religious and sexual minorities – especially in the face of the passing of the so-called anti-LGBT law.
• Economic and Educational Opportunities: Young people see Europe as a gateway to better job prospects, modernised infrastructure in educational institutions, and an improved education. Many already benefit from EU-funded programmes such as Erasmus+, which allow them to study abroad and experience European academic institutions. They hope that further integration will open even more doors for professional and personal growth.
• Identity and Opportunities for Youth: For many Georgians, their identity is closely tied to Europe. It signifies a break from the country’s Soviet past and an alignment with European values of freedom, justice, and social progress. Young activists view European integration as a counterforce to authoritarianism, censorship, and geopolitical instability, particularly in light of Russia’s ongoing influence in the region. A sense of generational responsibility also fuels the resistance to anti-European politics, as young people feel responsible for continuing the country’s pre-Soviet (1918-21, Democratic Republic of Georgia) aspiration towards Europe.  Additionally, Georgian youth strive for the opportunities that young people in the European Union have, including but not limited to employment and fair wages, quality and free education, research and internship opportunities, healthcare, extracurricular activities in universities and schools, well-managed public transport, the ability to travel freely within and between countries, mental well-being support services, and a fair justice system.

The government perspective

Amid mass protests, the government has failed to provide concrete justifications for suspending Georgia’s European integration. Instead, they have put forward several arguments, including:

• Delaying Integration: The government claims that Georgia will resume its EU integration process in 2028, framing the current suspension as a temporary pause rather than a permanent shift.

• Discrediting Protests: Officials often present the demonstrations not as pro-European but as being orchestrated by opposition parties, particularly the United National Movement (UNM), or by foreign-funded NGOs seeking to destabilise the country.

• Sovereignty Concerns: The Georgian Dream argues that certain EU requirements — especially judicial and political reforms, which are essential for opening accession negotiations — could undermine Georgia’s sovereignty.

• Linking EU Integration to War: The ruling party suggests that pursuing EU integration would drag Georgia into the war in Ukraine, implying that maintaining distance from the EU helps avoid conflict, orchestrated by the “Global War Party” and the “deep state”. 

The public perspective

The government’s arguments have little resonance among the Georgian public, especially young people. 

What’s more important, when I speak of Georgian youth, I am not merely generalising – I rely on recent research published by the Institute of Social Studies and Analysis (ISSA).

• According to the survey results, 67.1% of people think that Irakli Kobakhidze’s announcement on November 28 that Georgia would suspend its EU accession process until 2028 is unacceptable;

• 86.3% of respondents support Georgia’s integration into the EU, with especially high support rates among the younger generation. 

For young Georgians, defending a European future is not just about foreign policy — it is about securing a better life in their own country. Whether through protests, political engagement, or digital activism, young people are shaping the future of their nation. Their message is clear: Georgia belongs in Europe, and they are ready to fight for it.