The European Union's 2025 Enlargement Report states that between September 1, 2024 and September 1, 2025, the state of democracy in Georgia was marked by significant backsliding.

“The Georgian authorities have imposed repressive measures against civil society, media representatives and opposition leaders that severely undermine democratic processes and effectively abolished civic participation and the system of checks and balances. Eight opposition figures were sentenced to 7-8 months’ imprisonment and banned for holding public office in the next two years. Of these, six are currently incarcerated, while two have been granted pardons by the President of Georgia. Another opposition figure is under criminal investigations with potential imprisonment up to fifteen years, if convicted. The absence of effective parliamentary oversight has led to an increase in executive power. Civil society and critical voices face intimidation, with hostile rhetoric, balances. Eight opposition figures were sentenced to 7-8 months’ imprisonment and banned for holding public office in the next two years. Of these, six are currently incarcerated, while two have been granted pardons by the President of Georgia. Another opposition figure is under criminal investigations with potential imprisonment up to fifteen years, if convicted. The absence of effective parliamentary oversight has led to an increase in executive power. Civil society and critical voices face intimidation, with hostile rhetoric, threats and violence becoming more prevalent. Parliament removed the mandatory participation of nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) in decision-making, further excluding civil society from governance. Gender equality councils in Parliament and at municipal level were abolished. A large number of civil society organisations received court-approved orders by the AntiCorruption Bureau requesting sensitive and excessive information. Protests against the authorities’ decision not to pursue EU accession negotiations until 2028 were met with a disproportionate use of violence and repression. The Georgian authorities should reverse their course of action, which runs counter to the values and principles upon which the EU is founded, and the obligations of the country under international law. Georgia should repeal repressive legislation, adopt democratic, comprehensive and sustainable reforms, in line with the core principles of European integration. Fundamental rights and principles, including the right to a fair trial, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, and media freedom and pluralism, should be upheld and guaranteed. Those arbitrarily detained should be released. All cases of alleged human rights violations and abuses should be effectively and promptly investigated and perpetrators brought to justice. s and violence becoming more prevalent. Parliament removed the mandatory participation of nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) in decision-making, further excluding civil society from governance. Gender equality councils in Parliament and at municipal level were abolished. A large number of civil society organisations received court-approved orders by the AntiCorruption Bureau requesting sensitive and excessive information. Protests against the authorities’ decision not to pursue EU accession negotiations until 2028 were met with a disproportionate use of violence and repression.

The Georgian authorities should reverse their course of action, which runs counter to the values and principles upon which the EU is founded, and the obligations of the country under international law. Georgia should repeal repressive legislation, adopt democratic, comprehensive and sustainable reforms, in line with the core principles of European integration. Fundamental rights and principles, including the right to a fair trial, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, and media freedom and pluralism, should be upheld and guaranteed. Those arbitrarily detained should be released. All cases of alleged human rights violations and abuses should be effectively and promptly investigated and perpetrators brought to justice”, reads the report.