“At this moment, we are witnessing the failure of the European Union to respond to the repression being carried out by ‘Georgian Dream’—or rather, the ‘Georgian Nightmare’,” said MEP Nathalie Loiseau during the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee session.

She called on EU member states to take national measures, noting that some are dragging their feet. “We must act quickly and be more agile,” she emphasized.

Loiseau also stated that the EU should work with civil society in Georgia, as cooperation with a government that lacks de facto legitimacy is not possible.

“We are facing a situation in which people who aspire to democracy and EU membership are trapped in a very difficult environment, governed by a mafia-style authoritarian regime.

At this moment, we are witnessing the EU’s failure to respond to the aspirations of the Georgian people and to the repression being carried out by ‘Georgian Dream’—or, more accurately, ‘Georgian Nightmare’.

The EU’s lack of response—or its insufficient response—also ties back to the role of Viktor Orbán. So it is no surprise that the ‘Patriots’ [a political group in the European Parliament] are ignoring this country’s European aspirations. We see that Hungary has effectively decided to block the EU from imposing targeted sanctions on individuals whose names are known. We know the names of those in the regime who have decided to put Georgia in a very difficult position.

Therefore, I call on member states to take national measures. Some already have, and I welcome this. But others are dragging their feet. I believe we must act faster and more effectively. I also urge the European Commission to clearly understand what is happening here, especially in light of USAID’s withdrawal, the weakening of independent media, and the abandonment by the United States. We must work with civil society because it is impossible to work with a government that lacks de facto legitimacy,” said MEP Nathalie Loiseau.