Month: April 2023

Georgia’s fragile European dream confronted with Russian influence EU

Russian forces occupy some 20 percent of Georgia’s territory, a consequence of two wars. Officially, Georgia wants to join NATO and the EU; these ambitions are even written into its constitution. But behind the scenes, the country’s de facto ruler – oligarch Bidzina Ivanizhvili – is suspected of sabotaging the reforms demanded by Brussels. This has put the ruling party at odds with the population, since the vast majority of Georgians are in favour of joining the EU. FRANCE 24’s Elena Volochine reports from Tbilisi.