The European Parliament will hold debates on Georgia today, followed by a vote on a report concerning Georgia in relation to the European Commission’s 2023 and 2024 reports.
The draft resolution, published on the Parliament’s website, states that the European Parliament reaffirms its solidarity with the Georgian people and its unwavering support for their legitimate European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations and their desire to live in a prosperous and democratic country, “as expressed through massive protests that continue despite brutal repressions by the authorities.”
“The European Parliament remains ready to assist the Georgian people in achieving these goals; strongly condemns violent repressions, arbitrary and politically motivated detentions without sufficient legal grounds, and the systemic persecution of peaceful protesters, civil society representatives, political opponents, and media representatives; demands that the Georgian authorities refrain from using force, respect the freedoms of assembly and expression, and repeal the recently adopted draconian legislation aimed at suppressing public protests; expresses particular concern about the growing number of political prisoners and once again calls for their immediate and unconditional release; the EU calls for the effective and credible investigation of all acts of violence and for holding perpetrators accountable; expresses concern over the lack of independence in the judicial system, where judges linked to ‘Georgian Dream’ control politically motivated trials against peaceful protesters and government critics,” the document states.
The text notes that the EU regrets the fact that the ruling “Georgian Dream” party failed to seize the historic opportunity granted to Georgia as a candidate country to advance on the path to European integration and highlights that European integration continues to be supported by the vast majority of the population.
“The European Parliament emphasizes that Georgia’s EU integration process has been effectively halted due to the continued democratic backsliding in the country and the rigging of the October 2024 parliamentary elections, which marks a clear turning point toward an authoritarian regime, further illegal seizure of state institutions and democratic guarantees, and the adoption of a series of anti-democratic legislative acts that contradict the values and principles on which the EU is founded; agrees with the European Council’s conclusions of June 27, 2024, that the current course of action, if unchanged, threatens Georgia’s path to the EU, and calls on ‘Georgian Dream’ to return to the course of democratic reforms and Euro-Atlantic integration,” the document states.
The European Parliament calls for the immediate and targeted imposition of personal sanctions against Bidzina Ivanishvili, his family members, and his companies, and urges the EU, in cooperation with other jurisdictions, particularly the United Kingdom, to freeze his financial assets.
“The European Parliament reaffirms its position that the current political and constitutional crisis in Georgia can only be resolved through new parliamentary elections to be held within the next few months in an improved electoral environment, under the oversight of an independent and impartial electoral administration, and monitored by international and independent local observers to ensure a truly fair, free, and transparent process that reflects the true will of the people,” the document states.
According to the report, the European Parliament emphasizes that it does not recognize “the self-proclaimed government formed by the ‘Georgian Dream’ party following the rigged parliamentary elections of October 26, 2024, and considers Georgia a state captured by the illegitimate ‘Georgian Dream’ regime.”
