Unwrapping the Georgian Government's Reluctance to Align with EU Recommendations

Abstract

The Russian full-scale war against Ukraine has significantly influenced the European Union's decision to expedite the accession process for Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia. While Ukraine and Moldova obtained candidate status, Georgia received the 'European perspective', with the condition that it can become a candidate once specific criteria are fulfilled. This article examines the Georgian government's hesitance in taking advantage of this opportunity and implementing the reforms requested by the European Commission. The article offers a perspective on why the Georgian government might be hindering the EU integration process, making the argument that pursuing the required reforms to meet EU criteria could potentially undermine the ruling party's absolute power.