The Rest Is Politics 356. Georgia, Russia, and the fight for democracy - An interview with the President of Georgia
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Dec 27, 2024 
Salome Zourabichvili, the President of Georgia, is a French-born diplomat turned political leader navigating her country's turbulent political landscape. She discusses the precarious balance between pro-Russian and pro-European factions, highlighting the urgent need for international support. Zourabichvili delves into the implications of authoritarian pressures on Georgia's democracy and the risks of electoral irregularities. She reflects on the role of oligarchs and the influence of Russian diplomacy, offering a cautionary tale about the dismantling of democratic values in her nation.
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Zourabichvili's Heritage
- Salome Zourabichvili's family left Georgia in 1921 after the Russian occupation.
- She was raised in France but maintained Georgian traditions, always believing in Georgia's eventual independence.
Georgia's Path
- After independence, Georgia experienced optimism and aimed for Western integration.
- However, different regimes led to deviations towards autocracy and, recently, a concerning pro-Russian shift.
Ivanishvili's Influence
- Bidzina Ivanishvili, a billionaire who made his fortune in Russia, plays a central, albeit informal, role in Georgian politics.
- He is seen as controlling the Georgian Dream party, which Zourabichvili has fallen out with.