Georgian Idea (Georgian: ქართული იდეა, romanized: kartuli idea) is a far-right political party in Georgia. It was founded by Levan Chachua in 2014 and took part in 2016 and 2020 elections missing the threshold both times to be granted representation in the parliament.[8]
Georgian Idea ქართული იდეა | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Founder | Levan Chachua |
| Founded | 6 November 2014 |
| Ideology | |
| Political position | Far-right[7] |
| Religion | Georgian Orthodox Church |
| Colors | Yellow and Grey |
| Slogan | რწმენითა და სიყვარულით ღირსეული მომავლისთვის ('With faith and love for a dignified future') |
| Seats In Parliament | 0 / 150
|
| Website | |
| qartuliidea.ge | |
It is currently an extraparliamentary party with its chairmanship being vacant.[9] In 2024 the control of the party was transferred over to the far-right Alt-Info movement, following their party Conservative Movement being deregistered, however, Georgian Idea itself would be barred from running in the 2024 election soon after.[4][10]
The group has described themselves as the voice of Georgian Orthodox Christians and as adhering to traditional Christian values. It has been placed on the radical far-right of the political spectrum with its views being described as ultraconservative, ultranationalist, ethnocentric, homophobic, and xenophobic. It has participated in several anti-LGBT demonstrations that have turned violent. Additionally, the party has been commonly labeled anti-Western, Eurosceptic, and pro-Russian.[a]
History
editGeorgian Idea was founded in 2014 by a recognized political prisoner Levan Chachua.[4] The party participated in the 2016 parliamentary election with the election number of 18. It received 2,019 votes (0.17%).[8]
Georgian Idea further took part in the 2020 parliamentary election as well with a different election number of 44. It received 8,263 votes (0.43%). The party subsequently did not run in 2021 local elections.[8]
In 2024 after the party Conservative Movement was deregistered on a claimed technicality, members of the far-right Alt-Info group announced they had been given control of the Georgian Idea party.[4] The chairman of Conservative Movement/Alt Info, Giorgi Kardava, was subsequently elected the chairman of Georgian Idea. Three days later Central Election Commission suspended the registration process of the party as an electoral entity further limiting Alt-Info's ability to take part in the 2024 parliamentary election.[10]
Ideology
editGeorgian Idea has been commonly attributed to being a part of radical far-right.[1][4] Its ideology has been labeled as conservative, ultraconservative, ultranationalist, ethno-nationalist.[1][2][3][11] The group has self-positioned themselves as being against "abortions, drugs, casinos, LGBT, and cults".[12] Furthermore, the group has been described as xenophobic and homophobic. Similarly to many other Georgian radical right-wing parties, the fiscal policies of Georgian Idea lean left with them supporting programs such as state subsidies for healthcare. On foreign policy, the party has been described as anti-Western, pro-Russian, and Eurosceptic.[1][10][11]
Georgian Idea emphasizes the preservation of Christian values and promises to be a "voice of the [Georgian Orthodox Christians]". It supports policies to strengthen the Orthodox Church's influence at the state level such as by increasing the role of the church in the education system. This has attracted a number of priests to the party.[1][12]
Georgian Idea is strictly opposed to liberalism and liberal values.[1][11] The party's use of hate speech, incitement to aggression, and the spread of conspiracies have been described as being dangerous to the development of pluralistic democracy and tolerant society.[13] The group has been described as being opposed to "fundamental political freedoms, a culture of equality, and an anti-discrimination philosophy". The party is against the anti-discrimination legislation passed by the Georgian Dream government with Chachua elaborating that they did not want to legalize “perversion” in the country.[1]
Georgian Idea has been described as being radically Eurosceptic, anti-Euro-Atlantic and anti-Western. The party does not oppose cooperation with European states that share similar characteristics but rejects membership in the European Union and NATO. Additionally, they have disavowed the association agreement with the EU. The group views European integration as a threat to moral purity. Furthermore, Chachua has railed against what he sees as a "political system managed by foreign countries". The group welcomes friendly relations with Russia and outlines the shared history and religion between the two countries. This has led to the party being labeled pro-Russian.[1][10][11]
Activism
editThe party has taken part in protests that have been described as destructive and violent. The group has participated in a number of anti-LGBT protests such as the ones against Tbilisi Pride and what they have referred to as "gender ideology".[1][12] During the screening of the LGBT movie And Then We Danced Georgian Idea along with another far-right group Georgian March organized a protest where they blocked the entrance to the movie theater holding a screening of the film, insulting and scaring away individuals who wanted to attend the showing.[1] The group joined protests against the construction of Namakhvani HPP where they attacked and expelled a civil activist for wearing an LGBT armband.[13]
In 2018 the group launched a complaint against Aiisa, a condom company, to the Supervision Department of Tbilisi for displaying a hand gesture with crossed fingers that resembled Christ’s hand gesture and the image of Tamar the Great, a canonized Georgian queen, on their products. The case was referred to Tbilisi City Court which found the company guilty of discrediting religious symbols fining them 500 GEL and ordering the removal of their products from markets.[2] In 2023, the European Court of Human Rights found Tbilisi City Court’s decision to be a violation of Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights infringing on the right to freedom of expression.[3]
Electoral performance
editParliamentary
edit| Election | Leader | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | Position | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Levan Chachua | 2,019 | 0.17 | 0 / 150
|
new |  12th
|
Extra-parliamentary |
| 2020 | Levan Chachua | 8,263 | 0.43 | 0 / 150
|
|
13th
|
Extra-parliamentary |
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Salome Kandelaki (May 2021). "Euroscepticism and Religion in Georgian Far-right Groups' Political Agenda". Georgian Institute of Politics.
- ^ a b c "Court Fines Condoms Brand for 'Discrediting' Religious Symbols". Civil Georgia. 4 May 2018.
- ^ a b c "Aiisa Case". Georgian Democracy Initiative. 10 January 2023.
- ^ a b c d e Mariam Nikuradze; Shota Kincha (13 April 2024). "Georgian far-right group 'gifted' new political party after being de-registered". OC Media.
- ^ Salome Minesashvili (March 2020). "Cultural values or economic insecurity: What predicts mass support for right-wing populists?" (PDF). Georgian Institute of Politics.
- ^ "Influences of far-right groups on the political agenda". Democracy Research Institute. 5 September 2023.
- ^ [1][4][5][6]
- ^ a b c "Prevention of Far-Right Extremism in Georgia" (PDF). Democracy Research Institute. September 2021.
- ^ "პოლიტიკური პარტიების რეესტრი". National Agency of Public Registry of Ministry of Justice of Georgia.
- ^ a b c d "CEC Suspends Electoral Registration of Alt-Info Party, Georgian Idea". Georgian News. 26 April 2024.
- ^ a b c d David Stulík; Kristýna Bagge (2021). "Mapping research: comparing foreign influence in Georgia" (PDF). European Values.
- ^ a b c Shota Kincha (3 November 2020). "Were the far-right the biggest losers in Georgia's election?". OC Media.
- ^ a b "A coordinated network of the "Georgian Idea" party on Facebook". International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy. 21 June 2021.
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