Several days ago, during one of the meetings where I was presenting the research findings on the needs of ethnic Azerbaijanis of Georgia, one of the politicians asked me a question: “Why do ethnic minorities still mostly endorse the ruling party when “Georgian Dream” is openly countering the idea of diversity, a very European principle?

First of all, ethnic minorities are not endorsing only the ruling party. This assumption is an “urban legend” created by the political elites, and they started believing in it too. For instance, in the 2016 parliamentary elections, in Marneuli (92% minorities) and Bolnisi (69% minorities) municipalities, the political opposition got the highest votes, and the ruling party received the least votes all over Georgia. More precisely, in Marneuli 44666 voters participated in elections (47% turnout) of which 45% voted for the ruling party, and 55 % voted for the opposition. And in Bolnisi 17585 voters participated in elections (45% turnout) of which 61% voted for the ruling party, and 39% voted for opposition. In 2020, the ethnic minority votes comprised 7.88% of the total votes of the ruling party, while the ethnic minority votes were 3.63% of the total votes of the opposition. However, in the 2021 local self-government elections, the opposition, namely the United National Movement, significantly lost their support base in Kvemo Kartli among ethnic Azerbaijani voters as a result of their ill-advised decisions related to the parliamentary list in 2020. Therefore, we can argue that ethnic minority voters are sensitive and vigilant in the political processes, and we should not consider them as solely supporters of the ruling party.

Elections are always related to disputes and polarizations in Georgia. However, the 2024 parliamentary elections, on the 26th of October is, indeed, a pivotal moment for the country. Election Day will determine the future of Georgia and its place in global politics for the next three decades. Therefore, it is critically important for the citizens and voters of Georgia to return the country back to the proper route. I am using the term “return” as the Georgian Dream government has put in jeopardy the progress and development achieved in the last 30 years. Moreover, the GD government tried to label the most progressive, patriotic, and professional part of the country as “agents,” and openly confronted our Western partners and friends.

However, when the political opposition has been stuck with internal un-democratic disputes, holding the voters as the sole responsible actor for the existing situation would be unfair towards citizens. There are only three months left before Election Day. And the political parties have introduced new configurations and coalitions. Moreover, there is coordination of opposition under the “Georgian Charter” proposed by the president of Georgia. However, there are topics where political opposition persistently holds on to superficial beliefs and positions such as the issues related to ethnic minorities. While we know that a minor difference will determine the results of the elections on the 26th of October, it is critical that all the political parties properly plan their programs and policies towards ethnic minorities.

This paper is an attempt to show the political elites and politicians that they should not see ethnic minorities as a monolith group, and they should not consider that working with ethnic minority voters is a waste of time and resources.

The paper introduces three main mistakes, stereotypes, and temptations about ethnic minorities and elections. On the contrary, it suggests three main issues vital for ethnic minorities today.

“If you learn the Georgian language, all of your problems will be resolved”

The lack of teaching the state language is the biggest shortcoming of the state for ethnic minorities. For many years, different governments have been appealing to the topic of competence in the state language among ethnic minorities. This topic was popular and sacred among the dominant ethnic group, as well. According to populist and demagogue politicians, what could be offered to ethnic minorities better than learning the Georgian language?! Though there were many shortcomings. There were rarely enough teachers of the Georgian language in minority regions, almost never existed quality textbooks for schools, and rarely enough financial resources to teach ethnic minorities the state language. There are exceptions such as the “1+4 program”. This program with a special and simplified examination method enabled ethnic minority youth to study in the higher education institutions of Georgia. As a result of this program and the dedication of ethnic minority youth and their family members, thousands of ethnic minority youth speak the Georgian language and have a degree. However, the fact that knowledge of the state language does not resolve all the challenges is the best and foremost known for them. A proper job market is inaccessible for them, including in public service. The political elites do not listen to the ethnic minority youth when they talk about the challenges in the process of employment, social and economic hardships, discrimination in the labor market, the practices of being seen as “the other,” etc.

While competence in the state language is seen as sacred, and from the framework of cultural domination and hierarchy, and not from the perspective of social development and mobility instrument, one of my friend's words remains relevant “Competency in the Georgian language does not mean keeping silence in Georgia”. Learning the Georgian language will enable us to speak in one common language, meanwhile, political elites need to learn to listen to the voices of minorities.

In fact, the most critical topic for ethnic minorities is equal access to quality education.

Today ethnic minority communities have three times less access to pre-school education. The already existing challenges in schools are worsened by the lack of human resources and textbooks. As a result, under every government and political party the goal of the schools becomes showing support for the ruling party during the elections, instead of bringing up an educated, professional, and successful new generation. Amid this reality, the graduates of the 1+4 program try to fill the shortcomings of the systemic problems of the preschool and school level in higher educational institutions. However, the limited resources for ethnic minority students at higher education institutions create a vicious circle from which it is almost impossible to break through. The realization of the educational challenges of ethnic minorities and not reducing it to teaching methodologies of state language should be the homework for every political party during the pre-election period.

“The ruling party opposes Europe – we are the supporter of Europe and European values”

During the last few years, we have heard similar complaints from many politicians. Looking at the work of the Georgian Dream government, such as “Russian Law,” “Law on Offshores,” and other bills, we can maintain that the ruling party is indeed on an anti-western pathway. However, the opposition that only criticizes the wrongdoings of the GD government but does not initiate specific and concrete European initiatives, does not have a chance to win public support, either among ethnic minorities or in the general public.

The GD government does not fight against all minority groups directly and openly yet. Moreover, the ruling party mobilizes the minority votes with conservative ideas and slogans. During the pre-election period, the GD government emphasizes three messages while communicating with minorities:

1. Stability in the country (there will be no war in Georgia)
2. Moderate stability on the issues of ethnic and religious minorities (there will not be open discrimination of anyone based on their backgrounds yet)
3. Stability in traditions (we fight against sinfulness and immorality)

If the opposition is not able to come up with more progressive and European ideas to balance these ultra-conservative slogans, the vast majority of ethnic minority votes will indeed go to the ruling party. The way out is in creating specific policies, programs, and paradigms. These programs and policies should be based on the several years of experience of inequalities faced by ethnic minorities. For many years, ethnic minorities have been asking for translation services, land reform, development of local infrastructure, support for ethnic minority farmers in their production process, respect and protection for the culture of minorities, ending discrimination in building religious buildings, etc. Without these progressive initiatives and programs that could ease the lives of ordinary citizens and give them hope for the future, the superficial talks of political parties about their Europeanhood and difference from the ruling party are a waste of time for ethnic minorities. We all are tired of this Europeanhood. Now it is time for real action.

“Why do our backgrounds matter? – we all are one”

The liberal agenda of political elites, international organizations, civil society organizations, and Georgian academia made ethnic and religious minorities believe that the final goal is not to see the diversity of identities. It should be noted that at some point western academia also supported the idea of being “color blind”, though this perspective is challenged and disproved nowadays.

It goes without saying that we all are one, at the same time we are different, and we need our different voices and colors to make our lives more interesting and fair. Moreover, it is important to include in the decision-making process different groups, otherwise, we are left with results where in Bolnisi and Dmanisi municipalities kindergartens are built only in Georgian villages and settlements, and we do not see any kindergartens built in minority villages.

Nowadays, ethnic minority youth, and not only, are talking about fair representation in the local and central government, legislative and executive bodies, decision-making positions, and bureaucracy. A true European principle would be giving opportunities to these youth and opening up ways for them.

Under the name of Europe and with the slogan of “We all are one,” political parties will not be successful. The true test for the European approach for any political party in front of ethnic minorities would be the integration of a minority politician in their parliamentary lists within the first 10 candidates. But it must not be the kind of person who was introduced by the UNM during the 2020 parliamentary elections. The inclusive party lists should be followed by offering the positions of ministry and deputy ministries to minorities. Political parties should introduce a plan on employment of ethnic minorities in public offices in a way that the role of minorities in the development of the country will affect local and national levels.

If the political parties do not resolve this topic before the pre-election period, they will revisit the previous practices and games: building relationships either with rich minority representatives, or SOCAR, or with the elderly male population from minorities to increase their support among minorities. Luckily (or not), the ruling party is the best player in these games.

If the political elites and party leaders, like many Georgian citizens, sincerely believe that the 26th of October is a pivotal moment for the future of the country, these political leaders would not repeat the same mistakes with ethnic minorities.