EU membership or oligarchic rule: The choice facing Georgia

Abstract

This article reviews the recent developments with respect to Georgia’s application to become a member of the EU, filed in March 2022. It addresses the circumstances under which the application was filed, the conditions tabled by the EU for granting Georgia candidate status, the challenges that lie ahead and what the EU can do to help Georgia overcome them. The article argues that without strong external pressure the conditions set by the EU are not likely to be met by Georgia’s ruling regime.