Defending Democratic Values: What Awaits Democracy in Georgia, Serbia and Slovakia?

The dynamics created by the public backlash against authoritarianism are a continual challenge to democratic values. The 2024–2025 protests in Georgia, Serbia, and Slovakia, each in a different setting, are evidence of the people’s fight against authoritarianism. In addition to demonstrating opposition to the governments’ authoritarian inclinations, these demonstrations also served as a sign of the societies’ dedication to democracy. The primary causes of the public outcry were the government’s censorship of the media, tampering with election procedures, and transgression of democratic norms. These demonstrations in all three nations become significant in this light as a reflection of the societies’ attempts to uphold democratic principles, oppose authoritarian governance, and safeguard their ties with Europe. This essay will look at the ways in which authoritarian tendencies and protests can impact these nations’ democracies and influence upcoming political systems.

Authoritarianism, Electoral Fraud, and Tensions with EU Integration in Georgia’s 2024–2025 Protests

A complex interplay of factors, including growing authoritarian tendencies, doubts about the validity of the election process, and the suspension of Georgia’s EU integration efforts, led to the 2024–2025 protests in Georgia. The “Transparency of Foreign Influence Law,” which was passed by the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party, was widely opposed by the public because it was seen as an attempt to restrict democratic space by focusing on civil society and independent media (Brender, 2024). Additionally, international observers and opposition parties accused GD of electoral fraud following the October 26, 2024, parliamentary elections, in which GD won a majority, further undermining public confidence in democratic institutions (Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, 2024). The protests were further heightened by the strong public reaction to Prime Minister Kobakhidze’s announcement in November 2024 that Georgia would unilaterally halt EU accession talks until 2028, especially from pro-European groups (Brender, 2024). All of these developments point to the fundamental demands for the preservation of democratic values and the continuation of Georgia’s European integration process as the driving forces behind the country’s protests.

Serbia’s 2024 Protests: Corruption, the Novi Sad Tragedy, and the Struggle for Democratic Reforms

The Novi Sad train station’s roof collapsed on November 1, 2024, killing 15 people, sparking the start of the protests in Serbia. This incident has come to represent the nation’s persistent corruption, dysfunctional government, and legal infractions. Students started the protests, but they swiftly expanded into a movement that involved everyone in society. The demonstrators are calling for the abolition of corruption, the establishment of the rule of law, and the execution of democratic reforms in addition to the punishment of those accountable for the Novi Sad tragedy. (De Launey, 2025) The movement has grown even more as a result of the government’s authoritarian policies, pressure on the media, and election-process manipulation. During the demonstrations, the movement was centered on young people and college students, and it received widespread support from various societal groups. The prosecution of dishonest officials, media freedom, and the installation of an interim administration are among the primary demands. Although President Vučić’s description of the demonstrators as a movement “backed by foreign powers” exacerbates the situation, the peaceful and determined mass movement remains a source of hope for national transformation (Kaiser, 2025).

The Transition to Russian Influence, EU Disobedience, and Democratic Struggles in Slovakia’s 2024 Protests

Slovakia’s departure from its Western orientation and Prime Minister Robert Fico’s move toward a more Russian-leaning policy sparked the protests there. Fico faced significant criticism for his actions after assuming office in 2023, particularly from the pro-Western public, for halting aid to Ukraine and opposing EU sanctions against Russia (Guilbert, 2025). Protests spread not only in the capital Bratislava but also in smaller rural towns as a result of Fico’s bolstering of ties with Russia and doubts about ties with NATO. Protesters defended Slovakia’s EU membership, denounced the deterioration of democratic values, and opposed Fico’s government’s attempts to subjugate Slovakia to Russia (Nicholson, 2025). The protests were also sparked by the Fico administration’s inability to address socioeconomic issues, including economic difficulties, health and educational inadequacies, and the exodus of young people from the nation. As the populace continues to be watchful against the government’s progressively authoritarian control and its attempts to censor the media and opposition, the action represents a significant turning point for Slovakia’s future.

Conclusions and Future Scenarios

In all three nations, these protest movements amply illustrated the populace’s steadfast devotion to democracy and opposition to authoritarian tendencies. Nonetheless, one significant determinant of these nations’ democratic indices is the effect of the protests. The democratic index is an evaluation tool that measures a nation’s degree of democracy using fundamental components like press freedom, political rights, individual liberties, and government transparency. Georgia, Serbia, and Slovakia’s current democratic indices are closely tied to how the populace reacts to the governments’ authoritarian inclinations and how social movements will influence these responses. This circumstance turns into a significant element that will influence each nation’s future democratic development and transformation.

Georgia, Serbia, and Slovakia’s 2024–2025 protests demonstrate the people’s steadfast opposition to authoritarianism and dedication to democracy. The public showed a broad desire for openness and change by opposing government actions that endangered free speech, political rights, and just governance. Trends in the Democracy Index reflects this conflict. The interference of the media and judiciary has caused Slovakia’s score to drop, corruption and electoral manipulation have caused Serbia to stagnate, and restrictions on the media and civil society have caused Georgia’s score to fall. (Economist Intelligence Unit, 2006-2024) It’s likely that democracy will regress further in the absence of significant reforms. Due to its EU accession freeze, Georgia might experience continuous instability in 2025, with possible political changes if opposition movements gain traction. Protests sparked by corruption in Serbia may increase calls for reform, but government opposition is still a problem, and growing civil society pressure may compel policy changes. Slovakia runs the risk of widening the rift between pro-Russian and pro-European groups, with worries about the decline of democracy growing. There will likely be more drops in democracy scores if these patterns continue. The long-term effects rely on the reactions of political elites and the capacity of civil society to maintain momentum. Although EU involvement and external pressure might be important, domestic movements will ultimately determine how democracy develops in these countries.

References

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