The European Parliament has adopted a critical resolution on Georgia, highlighting growing concerns over the country’s democratic backsliding and deteriorating political environment. The resolution passed with 490 votes in favor and 147 against, and includes strong language addressing recent political developments and human rights violations in Georgia.
According to the document, the European Parliament reaffirms its solidarity with the Georgian people and expresses support for their legitimate European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations, as reflected in the recent wave of mass public protests. These demonstrations, the resolution notes, continue despite increasing state repression.
The Parliament strongly condemns the violent response by Georgian authorities, including the arbitrary and politically motivated detentions of peaceful protesters, opposition figures, civil society activists, and journalists. It calls on the government to repeal repressive laws, release political prisoners, and respect fundamental rights such as freedom of expression and assembly.
The resolution also criticizes the October 2024 parliamentary elections, describing them as fraudulent and a turning point toward authoritarianism. It notes that Georgia’s EU integration has effectively stalled due to ongoing democratic backsliding and institutional capture by the ruling party, Georgian Dream.
In one of its most significant passages, the European Parliament calls for targeted sanctions against Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of Georgian Dream, along with his family and affiliated companies. It urges the EU and international partners—including the UK—to freeze Ivanishvili’s financial assets.
Moreover, the resolution emphasizes that the current Georgian government lacks legitimacy, stating that the European Parliament does not recognize the self-declared government formed after the disputed 2024 elections. It urges that new parliamentary elections be held in the coming months, under improved electoral conditions and with international monitoring, to ensure a free, fair, and transparent process.
The document also highlights Georgia’s low level of alignment (49%) with the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy, and expresses regret that the country does not participate in EU-led peacekeeping or crisis response missions. It warns that Georgia’s current trajectory risks isolation on the international stage and contributes to regional instability in the South Caucasus and Black Sea.
