EU Parliament: Let’s stop the authoritarian drift in Georgia

Brussels – The European Parliament condemns the conduct of the 2024 elections in Georgia. MEPs approved today (9 July) a document by a large majority, stating that these elections “marked a clear turn towards authoritarian rule in the EU candidate country.” The report states that these “irregular” elections paved the way for the ruling Georgian Dream party to “illegally take control of state institutions and remove democratic guarantees, carry out repressive legislation, and oppress political opponents, journalists, and peaceful protesters.” 

Parliament is calling for a return to a democratic path and Euro-Atlantic integration by making a decisive turn from the current government’s policies, which also call into question the country’s EU accession path. As already declared in 2024, the MEPs renew their appeal for new parliamentary elections to be held in Georgia under independent international and national monitoring. They add that until new elections are announced, the EU Parliament will continue not to recognise the one-party Parliament and President regime now in power, and call on the EU and Member States to impose bilateral and coordinated personal sanctions against the main leaders of the Georgian Dream party and those responsible for the country’s democratic decline. It also calls for an immediate review of the EU’s policy towards Georgia and of the bilateral economic agreement. 

The rapporteur of the report, Rasa Juknevičienė (EPP, Lithuania), in a heartfelt comment, argues that “unfortunately, we could not assess any progress on the part of Georgia because, from being an inspiring leader among the Eastern European countries, Tbilisi has been plunged into a brutal dictatorship. Since the adoption of this report in committee (in October 2024), the situation has worsened: almost all opposition leaders have been arrested and are in jail. The independent media are on the verge of collapse. The largest civil society organisations are suffering threats and severe legal restrictions.” 

She then warns that “Georgia is an example of how a country can be captured by Russian interests from within without a shot being fired. But the Georgian people do not give up, they continue to protest every day, for over 200 days, despite the violent repression. The EU and its member states must intervene before it is too late. We owe it to the brave Georgians who are fighting for a free and pro-European future”.