On 28 November last year, the man many Georgian's refer to as their 'so-called Prime Minister', Irakli Kobakhidze, announced that the ruling party, Georgian Dream, was pausing the country's participation in the EU membership process until 2028. Supporters of Georgian democracy poured onto the streets, where they were met over the next two weeks with a violent response from state security. Georgians continue to protest, despite further repressive laws designed to discourage peaceful protest and undermine civil society, the democratic opposition and Georgia's remaining independent media.

Stephen Matthews, a writer and filmmaker based in the UK, speaks to those involved in the peaceful protests and the wider opposition to authoritarianism in Georgia.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who is Bidzina Ivanishvili? What are his politics? And how did he rise to power?

The billionaire founder of Georgian Dream made his money in Russia in the 1990s, and retains business interests and political contacts in the Russian Federation. In this episode, we chart Ivanishvili's 'long game', from his funding of the UNM, to his strategic philanthropy, his recognition of the desire for multi-party coalition politics and his first steps on the road to state capture.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.