The European Commission has sharply criticized Georgia in its 2025 Enlargement Report, describing the country’s EU candidate status as “in name only” due to serious democratic setbacks.
The report highlights that, following the October 2024 parliamentary elections, Georgia “deepened the political crisis” with repressive legislation, weakening of democratic institutions, and anti-European rhetoric. Authorities reportedly decided to suspend the EU accession process until 2028, a move the Commission says significantly deviates from the European path enshrined in Georgia’s constitution.
Key concerns noted include the arrest of opposition leaders, increased pressure on civil society, curbs on judicial independence, the abolition of the Special Investigation Service, and rising violence against journalists. The Commission also called for the repeal of laws such as the Law on Foreign Agents, warning that these measures undermine democracy and civic freedoms.
While Georgia has maintained positive economic growth, the report notes that political instability and uncertainty are harming the investment climate, with ongoing risks to the independence of the National Bank and persistent labor market challenges. The Commission concluded that Georgia has failed to meet the nine priorities necessary for opening EU accession negotiations and urged authorities to undertake comprehensive reforms in democracy, rule of law, and human rights, in line with EU values, to restore its European path.
"In 2024, the European Council concluded that Georgia's EU accession process was de facto halted. Since then, the situation has sharply deteriorated, with serious democratic backsliding marked by a rapid erosion of the rule of law and severe restrictions on fundamental rights. This includes legislation severely limiting civic space, undermining freedom of expression and assembly, and violating the principle of non-discrimination. Georgian authorities need to urgently reverse their democratic backsliding and undertake comprehensive and tangible efforts to address outstanding concerns and key reforms supported by cross-party cooperation and civic engagement, in line with EU values. Following the December 2024 European Council Conclusions and in light of Georgia's continued backsliding, the Commission considers Georgia a candidate country in name only. The Georgian authorities must demonstrate resolute commitment to reverse course and return to the EU accession path", - the European Commission concluded.
