On February 26, the ruling Georgian Dream party and the allied People’s Power faction introduced a bill that would significantly alter the governance structure of state and municipal theaters. The proposed legislation seeks to consolidate leadership under a single director, eliminating the current dual-management system that separates artistic and administrative responsibilities.

Currently, under the "Professional Theaters" law, theaters are managed by both an artistic director, responsible for creative decisions, and a theater director, who oversees financial and administrative operations. The new bill argues that this system is outdated and inefficient in addressing modern challenges.

If passed, the law would place all leadership responsibilities—creative, financial, and managerial—under one individual: the theater director. According to the bill’s authors, this change would create a more streamlined and effective management model.

Another major shift proposed by the bill involves the process of appointing and dismissing theater directors. The legislation introduces a competitive selection process aimed at attracting fresh talent but also grants significant discretionary power to government officials.

Under the new rules:

• All current state and municipal theater directors would be dismissed immediately upon the law’s enactment.
• The Minister of Culture would have the authority to appoint state theater directors either through a competitive process or at their own discretion.
• In municipal theaters, the appointment power would rest with the local mayor, who could also choose to bypass recommendations from selection committees.
• Dismissed directors would have 10 days to reapply for their positions. If not reinstated, they would receive compensation equivalent to three months’ salary.

The bill is backed by several MPs from Georgian Dream and People’s Power, including Archil Gorduladze, Tornike Cheishvili, Rati Ionatamishvili, and Mamuka Mdinaradze.

Opposition and Backlash

The proposed changes have sparked strong opposition, with critics accusing the ruling party of seeking greater control over cultural institutions. Opposition politician Dea Metreveli of Strong Georgia described the bill as a tool for "repressive oversight" aimed at silencing independent artistic voices. She argued that the amendments are part of a broader effort to bring theaters under direct government influence.

Theater professionals have also voiced their concerns. Many have been actively participating in pro-EU protests following Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s controversial decision to freeze Georgia’s EU accession process until 2028.

In a direct act of defiance, the Vaso Abashidze Theater went on strike after one of its actors, Andro Chichinadze, was arrested during a demonstration. Meanwhile, a group of Georgian artists has been traveling across the country, staging performances and holding public discussions about artistic freedom and political interference in cultural institutions.

As tensions rise, the future of Georgia’s theater landscape remains uncertain, with both supporters and critics of the bill bracing for its potential impact.