Democracy: What can we learn from Sakartvelo (Georgia)?

Event in Lithuanian only

For many years, Georgia was seen as a testing ground for democracy.
But in recent times the country has been sinking deeper into authoritarian rule: institutions are being systematically captured, opposition leaders and activists are persecuted or imprisoned, citizens are fined for even minimal resistance to those in power, and independent media has all but disappeared.
Protests against government initiatives, growing geopolitical pressure and the influence of neighbouring states have created a daily reality with shrinking space for freedom, transparency and hope for the future.

Today, as part of Lithuanian society gathers outside the Seimas to defend free speech and democracy, while another part hurls accusations at them, it becomes especially important to learn from countries that have lived through similar processes and felt their consequences up close.
Do we truly understand the importance of free speech, an independent media, and a public broadcaster? Or are we giving in to manipulations aimed at individual personalities? Do we grasp the cost this carries for us as a society grounded in democratic values?

Political manipulation feeding on people’s fears, attacks on independent journalism, the polarisation of society and attempts to undermine our own democratic institutions — these are warning signs.
The situations in Georgia, Hungary and Slovakia show how quickly such trends can become systemic if democratic safeguards are not activated in time and societies are lulled into complacency.

This is why we are grateful to Regina Jegorova-Askerova, a Caucasus region expert and activist who spent 15 years living in Georgia, for agreeing to share her experience of how democracy there was dismantled through small, often unnoticed steps.
Most importantly, she will help us understand what lessons Lithuania can draw to strengthen its own democracy and resilience — so that the democratic safeguards, which are now under strain, are activated before it is too late.