Georgia on the 35th Anniversary of the Independence Restoration Referendum
By Malkhaz Matsaberidze
Thursday, April 9, 2026
On March 31, 2026, Georgia marked the 35th anniversary of the 1991 referendum in a particularly tense political and emotional climate. This year, the date coincided with major religious and political upheavals unfolding in the country, making the public atmosphere even heavier. The 35th anniversary was not merely celebratory; it was even more a day of reflection and vigilance, as society feels that the independence regained in 1991 still needs to be defended today, both on the political and ecclesiastical fronts.
The main achievement of the 1991 referendum was national consolidation. More than 98% of the population voted in favor of independence. It was a rare moment when the nation was completely united. Through this referendum, Georgia declared that it was not "leaving" the Soviet Union, but rather restoring the independence it had held in 1918-1921. To this day, this remains the legal foundation of our state.
With the Act of Restoration of Independence of April 9, 1991, Georgia stated clearly: we are not a new state; we are the legal successor of the 1918-1921 republic, which was occupied by Soviet Russia. This meant that the Soviet period was an occupation and had no legal legitimacy whatsoever.
The West (USA, Europe) and the UN recognized Georgia as one of the entities emerging from the collapse of the Soviet Union. Why did this happen? Because it was simpler to recognize existing administrative borders (internal Soviet borders) than to delve into the historical laws of the pre-1921 era.
While Georgia legally restored its independence in 1991, politically, the world treated it as a "newborn" state. This duality is precisely why Russia still feels it has a moral right to interfere in the governance of our Church and our State.
During the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Baltic states were the exception for the West: only Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia were recognized as "restored occupied states," because the West had never recognized their annexation by the USSR. In Georgia's case, however, the West had de facto recognized its inclusion within the Soviet Union for 70 years.
Ultimately, Russia was recognized as the sole legal successor to the Soviet Union (retaining its seat on the UN Security Council), while Georgia was viewed simply as a "newcomer". This provided Moscow with the pretext to regard itself as the "big brother" and the overseer of the region.
This shift has brought heavy consequences for Georgia. To this day, this "technical" distinction defines many of our problems. Had Russia been granted the same "freedom of action" in the Baltic states, the conflicts in Georgia might have seemed mild by comparison.
Today, 35 years after the referendum, Georgia is striving to finally shed the "former Soviet republic" label. EU candidacy is precisely the recognition that we are a European state that was only temporarily severed from its natural environment.
As Georgia marks the 35th anniversary of its independence referendum, the nation stands at a crossroads defined by complex yet profound achievements. This journey has been a transformation from post-Soviet ruins to a modern state. At this 35-year milestone, Georgia's primary accomplishment is the irreversible process of integration with the European Union. Despite various challenges, the country has moved from candidate status to the stage of membership negotiations-a feat that seemed like an unimaginable dream in 1991. Georgian citizens now benefit from visa liberalization with the EU, signifying free movement and an openness to the world.
The "Middle Corridor" project and the renewed momentum of the Anaklia Port are positioning Georgia as a vital link between Asia and Europe. Furthermore, Georgia has emerged as a regional leader in the simplicity of public services, such as Justice Houses and e-governance. These systems are now significantly more efficient than those found in many European nations.
The Georgian Defense Forces have fully transitioned to NATO standards. On this 35th anniversary, the country is no longer a "defenseless proving ground"; it now possesses its own military production through Delta and a strengthened air defense system.
Despite these achievements, territorial integrity and Russia's relentless hybrid warfare remain the most pressing challenges. A clear example of this warfare is the recent wave of disinformation surrounding the patriarchal elections.
Thirty-five years later, a critical danger has emerged in the form of extreme social polarization. Unlike the unity of 1991, today's divided climate allows Russia to operate on the principle of "divide and rule." Furthermore, shifting demographics and mass migration pose a significant risk; over the decades of independence, millions have left the country, undermining the long-term strength of the state.
While Russia fought with tanks in the 1990s, it now wages a sophisticated hybrid war, systematically targeting national institutions, the Church, and the information space.
The Act of Restoration of State Independence, adopted on April 9, 1991, serves as the legal and moral constitution of the modern Georgian state. Thirty-five years later, the realization of the principles enshrined in this Act can be viewed as a partial success-one that requires constant and vigilant defense.
The Act of April 9 is fundamentally rooted in the Independence Act of May 26, 1918. By invoking this link, Georgia formally declared that it was not a successor to the Soviet Union, but rather the continuation of the First Republic. While the international community initially met this with a complicated reaction, this legal continuity remains the bedrock of Georgia's sovereign identity today.
Furthermore, in 1991, independence was declared over the entire territory of Georgia, explicitly including Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region. Today, the fulfillment of this principle faces a severe challenge, as 20% of the country remains under Russian occupation. Although factual control over these regions has been lost, the principle established in the 1991 Act remains Georgia's most potent international weapon, serving as the legal foundation for the global policy of non-recognition.
The Act of April 9, 1991, formally declared Georgia's commitment to democratic values and human rights, enshrining equality for all citizens regardless of nationality or creed. Compared to the chaos of the 1990s, Georgia has evolved into a far more institutionalized state. Nevertheless, political polarization and the consistent protection of human rights remain an "Achilles' heel," frequently exploited as targets for Russian propaganda.
The Act also established external sovereignty and an independent foreign policy, asserting that Georgia alone must decide its destiny, free from the dictates of any other state. The realization of this principle remains a work in progress, with the attainment of EU candidate status representing the highest point of its fulfillment to date. However, recent interventions by Russian intelligence in Church affairs and persistent political pressure demonstrate that the Kremlin is still attempting to "nullify" this Act and pull Georgia back into its sphere of influence.
The primary conclusion to be drawn is that while the Act of Independence secured our right to be free, freedom itself is an ongoing process-one that demands daily labor and constant defense.