In the intricate dance of global politics, few performances are as captivating—or as confounding—as that of Georgia’s ruling party, Georgian Dream. With the finesse of a seasoned illusionist, they’ve managed to cloak their true intentions beneath a veneer of conservative values, all while steering the nation on a course that raises more than a few skeptical eyebrows.

Let’s delve into this political masquerade, shall we? Georgian Dream, under the watchful eye of billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, has recently been accused of ‘instrumentalizing’ conservative values to maintain their grip on power.

Now, isn’t that a clever trick? Championing traditionalism to secure political dominance—who would’ve thought? This strategy has manifested in several legislative moves that seem tailor-made to appeal to the conservative heart. Take, for instance, the law on ‘family values and the protection of minors,’ which imposes sweeping curbs on LGBT rights.

By positioning themselves as the stalwart defenders of traditional morality, Georgian Dream has effectively rallied a significant portion of the populace to their side. But here’s where the plot thickens. While draping themselves in the cloak of conservatism, Georgian Dream has been cozying up to Russia—a nation not exactly renowned for its embrace of democratic principles. The U.S. has even gone so far as to sanction Ivanishvili for actions undermining democracy and shifting Georgia away from a pro-Western stance towards Russia.

So, are we to believe that the guardians of Georgian tradition are simultaneously courting the Kremlin? The irony is as rich as a Georgian feast. This political tightrope walk has not gone unnoticed by the Georgian people. The recent parliamentary elections were marred by accusations of voter manipulation and foreign influence, emblematic of Georgia’s struggle between pro-European aspirations and increasing Russian sway.

It’s a classic case of saying one thing and doing another—a hallmark of political theater. Now, let’s not be naive. Politicians worldwide have long mastered the art of telling constituents what they want to hear while pursuing agendas that serve their own interests. But Georgian Dream’s performance is particularly audacious. By waving the banner of conservatism, they’ve managed to divert attention from their authoritarian tendencies and pro-Russian inclinations.

It’s as if they’ve handed the audience a script, only to perform an entirely different play. The question that lingers is: How long can this charade continue? The Georgian populace is not a monolith; there are deep generational and cultural divides. While older, rural citizens may resonate with the conservative rhetoric, the younger, urban population is increasingly skeptical. They see through the facade and yearn for genuine democratic principles and a true alignment with Western values.

In the end, Georgian Dream’s strategy of ‘instrumentalizing’ conservative values may prove to be a double-edged sword. While it has secured short-term political gains, it risks alienating a significant segment of the population and drawing international ire. The dance can’t go on forever; eventually, the music stops, and the masks come off. When that moment arrives, will Georgian Dream stand revealed as the true guardians of Georgian tradition, or will they be unmasked as mere opportunists, exploiting conservatism for their own ends? Only time will tell. But for now, we watch, we wait, and we wonder at the spectacle unfolding on the Georgian stage.