Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have urged the international community to reject the legitimacy of Georgia’s current ruling authorities, accusing them of undermining
democracy and suppressing political dissent.
In a resolution passed on Thursday, the European Parliament formally refused to recognize the self-proclaimed leadership of the ruling Georgian Dream party, citing widespread electoral fraud in the parliamentary elections of October 26, 2024. The resolution explicitly denounces the legitimacy of newly appointed President Mikheil Kavelashvili and calls for a global boycott of Georgia’s current leadership. Instead, MEPs reaffirm their recognition of Salome Zourabichvili as the country’s rightful president and urge European Council President António Costa to invite her to represent Georgia in upcoming European Council and European Political Community meetings.
Following the controversial elections, Georgia has experienced sustained anti-government demonstrations, with thousands taking to the streets in peaceful protests. These demonstrations have been met with a harsh government crackdown, involving police violence and repression of dissent. In response, the European Parliament is calling on the EU Council and member states to implement targeted sanctions against officials and political figures deemed responsible for the country’s democratic decline, election manipulation, human rights abuses, and persecution of political opponents. Among those named for potential sanctions are oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Parliamentary Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, as well as judges involved in politically motivated rulings and media figures spreading state-sponsored disinformation.
Demand for new elections
The European Parliament asserts that the only viable path out of Georgia’s current political crisis is the organization of new parliamentary elections. These elections, according to MEPs, must be conducted within the next few months under significantly improved electoral conditions, ensuring an independent and impartial election administration with international oversight.
Deeply concerned by the Georgian Dream government’s deviation from its commitments to European integration and NATO membership, the Parliament reaffirmed its strong support for the Georgian people’s European aspirations.
The resolution was adopted with 400 votes in favor, 63 against, and 81 abstentions. Full details, including individual MEP votes, will be published on February 13, 2025.
Background
Georgia was granted EU candidate status in December 2023. However, the European Parliament deemed the country’s most recent parliamentary elections neither free nor fair and had previously called for a re-run within a year. Photo by Alsandro, Wikimedia commons.