“This is a debate on democratic backsliding, but there are 13 references to the elections in the resolution. In these conditions, how can election observers of this parliament turn up in Georgia and be considered objective and neutral”, stated Spanish MEP, Nacho Sánchez, during the debate in the European Parliament.

“Politics is not just about the substance. It’s also about when. And this resolution like the previous one on Moldova a few days before elections in these two countries is not at the right moment and could be counterproductive. The parliament has always avoided giving opinions on countries that are about to hold elections so as not to be accused of meddling in those elections. This resolution, regardless of its content, which contains elements that we support, is going to be used by the Georgian government and Russia as proof of Europe’s interference. We are giving a gift to the anti-European forces.

As various far-right colleagues have said, this is a debate on democratic backsliding, but there are 13 references to the elections in the resolution. In these conditions, how can election observers of this parliament turn up in Georgia and be considered objective and neutral. And what about negotiators? I think they would be considered neutral by these countries. I doubt that. So, the consequences, damage to the image of the European Union and the parliament, damage to the credibility of our election observers and the risk of being accused of interference. We could’ve waited one month and have adopted exactly the same resolution without running those risks,” Nacho Sánchez stated.