Cross-party MEP coalition drafts resolution calling for targeted EU sanctions on top Georgian officials

A coalition of around 70 Members of the European Parliament representing six political groups has authored a joint draft resolution titled European Parliament resolution on attempts by the ruling party Georgian Dream to ban opposition parties in Georgia.

Co-authored by MEPs Rasa Juknevičienė, David McAllister, Tobias Cremer, and Małgorzata Gosiewska, the motion is scheduled for a plenary vote on Thursday, 8 October 2026.

The draft text urges the European Union and its member states to introduce targeted sanctions and visa restrictions against top political figures responsible for democratic backsliding and political persecution, naming Bidzina Ivanishvili, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, and Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze.

The draft resolution states that the situation in Georgia is progressively deteriorating, highlighting severe setbacks across democracy, media freedom, human rights, and the rule of law. It notes that actions taken by the Georgian Dream authorities are increasingly incompatible with Georgia’s international obligations, including the Copenhagen criteria governing EU accession.

The motion details the constitutional lawsuit lodged in November 2025 by the Georgian Dream-controlled parliament to outlaw opposition parties, including the United National Movement, Coalition for Change, and Strong Georgia – Lelo. It points out that the Federalists were subsequently added to the claim, followed in September 2026 by For Georgia—the sole opposition party remaining in parliament.

MEPs stress that banning the parliamentary opposition dismantles the regime’s previous narrative that it was only targeting forces boycotting the legislature, describing these steps as part of a broader strategy to establish a one-party state modelled on Russia and Belarus to keep Georgia outside the Euro-Atlantic area.

The resolution highlights the appointment of new Constitutional Court judges in September 2026, raising serious concerns regarding their impartiality. It further condemns the forced closure of the Konrad Adenauer and Friedrich Naumann Foundations’ Tbilisi offices in September 2026 after authorities rejected project funding under the Law on Grants, as well as the imprisonment of journalists reporting on state repression.

Strongly condemning attempts to outlaw opposition forces, the motion demands the immediate withdrawal of the constitutional claim. It calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners, including Elene Khoshtaria, Mzia Amaglobeli, Mikheil Saakashvili, Giorgi Baramidze, and Nika Melia, along with everyone detained for peaceful protest, while urging that politically motivated sabotage charges be dropped.

Reiterating unwavering support for the Georgian people’s European aspirations, the draft warns that banning established political parties alienates Georgia from the EU and precludes future accession moves. Upon adoption, the President of the European Parliament is instructed to transmit the text to the Council, the Commission, the High Representative, member states, and the self-appointed authorities of Georgia.