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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Helsinki:20260702T150000
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SUMMARY:Lex Populi Conversation | Stopping the Clock: Georgia's Five Minutes to Dictatorship
DESCRIPTION:Overview\n\n\n\nDive into the tense moments when Georgia nearly flipped the script and what that means for democracy today. \n\n\n\nOnce hailed as a democratic frontrunner in the post-Soviet space\, Georgia now stands at a critical crossroads. Long regarded as a “bright spot” and firmly oriented toward European integration\, enshrined in its constitution\, the country is experiencing a rapid and alarming democratic decline. Recent findings\, including those detailed in an OSCE Moscow Mechanism Report\, point to intensifying pressure on civil society\, shrinking political freedoms\, and a growing concentration of power. Some observers warn that Georgia is now “five minutes to dictatorship.” \n\n\n\nThis timely roundtable\, hosted by Lex Populi—an international organization based in The Hague dedicated to advancing the rule of law and strengthening civil society worldwide—in collaboration with Transparency International Georgia\, will bring together leading experts to examine the country’s democratic backsliding and explore pathways forward. \n\n\n\nThe discussion will move beyond the early successes of reform to unpack the deeper structural vulnerabilities that were never fully addressed—particularly the failure to establish a genuinely independent and accountable judiciary. The panel will also assess the wave of legislation that has constrained civil society\, restricted protest\, and heightened pressure on independent actors. \n\n\n\nDespite these challenges\, resistance endures. Civil society organizations\, including Transparency International Georgia\, continue their work inside the country\, while citizens persist in voicing strong support for democratic governance and European integration. \n\n\n\nWith activism both at home and in exile\, a key question remains: what can be done to “stop the clock” and support those working to restore Georgia’s democratic trajectory? \n\n\n\nThe roundtable will focus on three central questions: \n\n\n\n• How was the Georgian government able to consolidate one-party dominance so quickly\, and what lessons can be drawn from this experience? \n\n\n\n• What is the current state of the pro-democracy and pro-European movement\, and how can efforts inside and outside the country be better aligned? \n\n\n\n• How can Western and international actors respond more effectively\, including through legal and policy tools such as cases before the European Court of Human Rights and universal jurisdiction mechanisms? \n\n\n\nThis discussion will also draw comparative insights from other countries\, including Hungary\, Slovakia\, and Poland. \n\n\n\nChatham House Rules will apply. \n\n\n\nWhy Attend?\n\n\n\nThis session is designed for policymakers\, legal practitioners\, civil society leaders\, academics\, and students interested in democracy\, rule of law\, and European integration. \n\n\n\nIt will also be valuable for representatives of international organizations\, journalists\, and members of the Georgian diaspora\, as well as anyone engaged in or following developments in Eastern Europe and the post-Soviet space who seeks a deeper understanding of democratic backsliding and international responses. \n\n\n\nMeet the Speakers\n\n\n\n\nGiorgi Chkheidze\, Rule of Law Advisor\, Lex Populi\n\n\n\nEka Gigauri\, Executive Director\, Transparency International Georgia\n\n\n\nBoris Strecansky\, Civil Society Advisor\, Lex Populi\n\n\n\n\nDetails & Registration\n\n\n\n\n📅 Date: 2nd July\n\n\n\n🕒 Time: 15h00-17h00 CEST\n\n\n\n📍 Venue: The Hague Humanity Hub (Fluwelen Burgwal\, 58\, 3rd floor)\, The Hague
URL:https://lexpopuli.org/event/lex-populi-conversation-stopping-the-clock-georgia/
LOCATION:The Hague Humanity Hub\, 58 Fluwelen Burgwal\, Den Haag\, 2511 CJ\, Netherlands
CATEGORIES:Lex Populi Conversations
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://lexpopuli.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Stopping-the-Clock-SM-image-1-scaled.png
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