The European Parliament has adopted a resolution titled On the Further Deterioration of the Political Situation in Georgia with 400 votes in favour, 63 against, and 81 abstentions. The resolution incorporates proposals from MEPs representing five political groups.
According to the European Parliament’s press release, MEPs assert that “Georgia’s self-proclaimed authorities have no legitimacy, recognizing Salome Zourabichvili as the country’s legitimate president, calling for EU sanctions against leading Georgian politicians.”
“EPs call on the international community to join the boycott of Georgia’s self-proclaimed authorities, who they accuse of eroding the country’s democracy and cracking down on dissents.
In a resolution adopted on Thursday, Parliament refuses to recognise the self-proclaimed authorities of the ruling Georgian Dream party following the rigged parliamentary elections on 26 October 2024, including the newly appointed President Mikheil Kavelashvili and calls for the international community to join the boycott of Georgia’s ruling elite.
MEPs continue to recognise Salome Zourabichvili as Georgia’s legitimate president and call on the President of the European Council António Costa to invite her to represent the country at upcoming meetings of the European Council and the European Political Community.
In the aftermath of the disputed elections, which plunged Georgia into a political and constitutional crisis, the country has witnessed ongoing peaceful mass anti-government protests, which have been met by a violent and repressive crackdown by police and law enforcement authorities. As a result, MEPs want the Council and EU member states to impose personal sanctions on the officials and political leaders in Georgia responsible for democratic backsliding, electoral fraud, human rights violations and the persecution of political opponents and activists. This includes, among others, the prominent oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Parliamentary Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, as well as judges passing politically motivated sentences and media representatives spreading disinformation,” the press release reads.
The resolution also stresses that new elections must be held.
“The resolution also restates the only solution to the current crisis in Georgia is holding new parliamentary elections which, according to MEPs, should take place within the next few months, be conducted in an improved electoral environment and be overseen by an independent and impartial election administration and monitored by international observers. Deeply regretting the ruling Georgian Dream party’s abandonment of its path toward European integration and NATO membership, Parliament reiterates its unwavering support for the Georgian people’s legitimate European aspirations,” it states.
Additionally, the draft resolution, approved by the European Parliament, includes an amendment concerning Mikheil Saakashvili [Georgia’s jailed ex-president].
A paragraph was added calling on the Georgian Dream government to ensure unhindered access for Members of the European Parliament to Saakashvili.
Article 27 of the resolution was amended to state: “Strongly reiterates its urgent demand for the immediate release of former President Mikheil Saakashvili on humanitarian grounds, specifically for the purpose of seeking medical treatment abroad; emphasises that the self-appointed authorities bear full and undeniable responsibility for the life, health, safety and well-being of former President Mikheil Saakashvili and must be held fully accountable for any harm that befalls him; calls, furthermore, on the Georgian Dream authorities to ensure that Members of the European Parliament are granted unhindered access to Mikheil Saakashvili.”
