On January 15, a large-scale warning strike took place across Georgia, with workers from various sectors joining forces to demand new parliamentary elections and the release of hundreds of people detained during nationwide protests. These protests, which began in late November, kicked off after the ruling Georgian Dream party suspended the country’s EU accession process. The strike’s central message was clear: Georgia’s prospects could become dire if the government continues its anti-democratic policies, leading to international isolation.
The protest, organized by the Georgian NGO Protest 24, saw employees, employers, and businesses participate in a coordinated walkout from 3pm to 6pm. The event called attention to the potential economic consequences of Georgia’s political isolation, including unemployment, economic stagnation, and poverty. As part of the action, workers from universities, cafes, restaurants, private companies, banks, and more temporarily shut down their operations, standing outside in solidarity with the protesters.
President Salome Zurabishvili expressed her support, joining the strike and stating, “I stand with these people. This may be new for Georgian politics, but it’s a familiar form of peaceful protest worldwide.” Despite her term ending in December 2024, Zurabishvili continues to be a widely respected figure among many Georgians.
She warned that attempts by the Georgian Dream government to provoke confrontation among the people would fail. “The Georgian people are experienced when it comes to confronting regimes, using every tool at their disposal,” she said.
The strike was not without incident, as protesters on Dolidze Street were attacked by a group of unidentified individuals. The assailants physically and verbally assaulted the demonstrators, with video footage quickly circulating on social media, and the perpetrators being publically named by media.
While Georgia’s two largest banks, TBC Bank and Bank of Georgia, did not officially participate in the strike, they expressed support for their employees’ freedom of expression. Lika Guntsadze, the mother of detained protester Andro Chichinadze, met with representatives from both banks, who affirmed their backing for the protest and reaffirmed their commitment to Georgia’s European integration. Several employees from the institutions joined the strike in solidarity.
In addition to the general strike, some major companies, such as the pharmaceutical chain PSP, held a symbolic five-minute strike, with employees displaying banners calling for justice and new elections. Karvasla, one of Tbilisi’s largest trade and business centers, also participated, with nearly 250 offices and 100 retail outlets joining the protest.
The media also played a key role in the January 14 protests, with GEORGIA TODAY joining 43 TV channels and media outlets on strike in solidarity with Mzia Amaghlobeli, the detained founder of Batumelebi/Netgazeti. The media outlets shut down for three hours in support of press freedom and the release of political prisoners, displaying a powerful message: “Freedom for Mzia Amaghlobeli and all political prisoners.”
Yet, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze dismissed both the protest and the calls for re-elections, claiming that the Georgian people had already “clearly” expressed their will during the October parliamentary elections, which, according to him, were free from significant manipulation. “All instances confirm the elections were not rigged,” he said, referencing reports from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the Georgian Constitutional Court, both of which dismissed claims of electoral fraud. Kobakhidze also criticized the opposition for avoiding investigations and failing to provide evidence of manipulation.
The nationwide strike highlights growing frustration with the government’s actions. With support from businesses, media, and even President Zurabishvili, the message is clear: many Georgians are calling for change. Whether the government listens or not, this moment shows how important democratic reforms and the country’s European future are to the people.
By Team GT
