EP Foreign Affairs Committee: The upcoming municipal elections in 2025 are another test of the resilience of Georgia’s democracy and political pluralism - MEPs call on the country’s opposition to seize this opportunity

In a new report, adopted today by 55 votes in favour, 14 against with 4 abstentions, Foreign Affairs Committee MEPs say the rigged October 2024 parliamentary elections in Georgia marked a clear turning point towards an authoritarian government in the EU candidate country. The above is stated in a press release issued by the committee.

“After decades of democratic reforms, MEPs now consider Georgia to be a victim of state capture, repeating their calls for new parliamentary elections in the country.

In a new report, adopted on Wednesday by 55 votes in favour, 14 against with 4 abstentions, Foreign Affairs Committee MEPs say the rigged October 2024 parliamentary elections in Georgia marked a clear turning point towards an authoritarian government in the EU candidate country. This flawed vote, they say, paved the way for the ruling Georgian Dream party to illicitly capture state institutions and democratic safeguards, push ahead with repressive legislation while also cracking down hard on political opponents, journalists, and peaceful protesters. With the Georgian government’s current course of action jeopardising the country’s EU accession path, MEPs renew their calls for new parliamentary elections in Georgia to take place under international and independent domestic monitoring. Until such a ballot is organised, they will maintain their policy of non-recognition of the legitimacy of Georgia’s current one-party parliament and president and call on the EU and member states to impose bilateral and coordinated personal sanctions against key Georgian Dream officials and regime enablers responsible for the county’s democratic backsliding. Given the increasingly repressive legislative environment, MEPs also call for an immediate audit of the EU’s policy towards Georgia and on the European Commission to review the implementation of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement.

While calling on Georgian Dream to return to the course of democratic reforms and Euro-Atlantic integration, MEPs reiterate their solidary with the Georgian people and their legitimate pro-European aspirations. They also point out that the upcoming municipal elections in 2025 are another test of the resilience of Georgia’s democracy and political pluralism. As a result, MEPs call on the country’s opposition to seize this opportunity to reflect the unity of the Georgian people in support of democracy and the rule of law, as already demonstrated by the peaceful protests that followed October’s elections. MEPs also express deep concern over Georgia’s current restrictive media environment and attacks on the political opposition, including declarations by leaders of Georgian Dream indicating their intention to declare opposition parties unconstitutional”, reads the press release.

“Sadly, we could not assess any progress by Georgia as EU’s candidate country because, from being an inspiring leader among the Eastern Partnership states, it has become a brutal dictatorship. It is an example of how a country can be captured by Russian interests from within without a shot being fired. But the Georgian people are not giving up, they continue protesting every day, for nearly 200 days now despite violent repression. The EU and its member states must take strong action before it is too late. We owe it to the brave Georgians fighting for a free and pro-European future,” rapporteur Rasa Juknevičienė (EPP, Lithuania) said.

The report will now be submitted to a vote in the European Parliament during an upcoming plenary session.