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.
New elections needed
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 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.
The text was adopted by 400 votes in favour, 63 against with 81 abstentions. For all the details, it will be available in full here (13.02.2025). Find out how each MEP voted.
Background
Georgia was granted EU candidate status in December 2023. The country’s most recent parliamentary elections, however, were deemed neither free nor fair by the European Parliament, with MEPs calling for a re-run of the elections within the next year.
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