Georgia Fires 700 Civil Servants for Supporting Pro-EU Protests, Watchdog Says.

 

Georgia has dismissed approximately 700 civil servants for their support of pro-European Union protests that have taken place since December, according to the local chapter of the anti-corruption organization Transparency International. The protests in this South Caucasus nation gained momentum in November after the government announced it was freezing EU membership talks until 2028, a decision that sparked widespread outrage among the population of 3.7 million.

Critics argue that the Georgian government, which they accuse of moving toward a pro-Russian and authoritarian stance, has ignited these tensions by halting a key national goal. In response to the government’s announcement, employees from various government agencies published open letters denouncing the freeze on EU membership talks, leading to the resignation of senior diplomats from several foreign embassies in protest.

In early December, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze described the open letters from civil servants as a "self-cleansing" process aimed at removing disloyal elements from the civil service. The protests, which are still ongoing, faced a violent crackdown from Georgian authorities, drawing condemnation from Western nations.

Since the protests began, the ruling Georgian Dream party has altered laws related to the civil service, which has weakened the legal protections for public sector workers. Transparency International reported that among the departments hardest hit by the dismissals were the defense ministry and Tbilisi City Hall.

A government spokesperson did not immediately respond to requests for comment, but the situation reflects Georgia's shifting political landscape. Once regarded as one of the most pro-Western states emerging from the Soviet Union, Georgia's relations with Western nations have deteriorated in recent years as the government has sought to deepen ties with Moscow, especially amid the backdrop of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The Georgian Dream party, perceived to be under the influence of billionaire former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili, won re-election in a controversial October election that the opposition claims was fraudulent. The party has implemented various laws, including restrictions on LGBT rights and a contentious statute requiring organizations receiving foreign funding to register as "foreign agents" or face severe penalties. While Georgian Dream maintains that it still aims to join the EU, it also advocates for balanced relations with Russia and the preservation of traditional values.