In a resolution adopted on Thursday, the European Parliament refuses to recognize the self-proclaimed authorities of the ruling party “Georgian Dream“ following the rigged parliamentary elections of 26 October 2024, including the newly appointed President Mikheil Kavelashvili, and calls on the international community to join the boycott of Georgia’s ruling elite.
Members of the European Parliament continue to recognise Salome Zurabishvili as the legitimate President of Georgia and call on the President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, to invite her to represent the country at the upcoming meetings of the European Council and the European Political Community.
Following the disputed elections that plunged Georgia into a political and constitutional crisis, peaceful mass anti-government protests continue in the country, which have been met with violence and repression by the police and law enforcement agencies. As a result, MEPs urge the Council and EU member states to impose personal sanctions on officials and political leaders in Georgia responsible for the backsliding from democracy, electoral fraud, human rights violations and the persecution of political opponents and activists. This includes, among others, prominent oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, as well as judges issuing politically motivated sentences and media representatives spreading disinformation.
New elections are needed
The resolution also states that the only solution to the current crisis in Georgia is to hold new parliamentary elections, which MEPs believe should be held within the next few months, in an improved electoral environment, under the supervision of an independent and impartial election administration and under the observation of international observers. Expressing deep regret that the ruling Georgian Dream party is abandoning the path towards European integration and NATO membership, Parliament reiterates its unwavering support for the legitimate European aspirations of the Georgian people. The text was adopted with 400 votes in favour, 63 against and 81 abstentions.
Georgia was granted EU candidate country status in December 2023. However, the country's last parliamentary elections were deemed neither free nor fair by the European Parliament, with MEPs calling for a re-run next year.
Last year, the EP condemned the parliamentary elections in EU candidate Georgia, held on 26 October, as neither free nor fair and representing yet another manifestation of the country's ongoing backsliding from democracy, "for which the ruling Georgian Dream party bears full responsibility". MEPs condemned the numerous and serious violations of the electoral process, including documented cases of voter intimidation, vote rigging, interference with election observers and the media, and reports of manipulation of electronic voting machines. The results of the vote, announced by the country's Central Election Commission, "do not serve as a reliable representation of the will of the Georgian people". Parliament rejected any recognition of the election results, as should the international community. MEPs called for a re-run of the elections within a year under close international monitoring and by an independent election administration.
Parliament also strongly condemned Russia's systematic interference in Georgia's democratic processes through disinformation, such as that developed by the "Georgian Dream" a conspiracy about the “global war party“, according to which the opposition in the country will drag Georgia into war with Russia on the orders of the West. MEPs issued a stern warning to the Georgian authorities that any attempt to ban legally established political parties would lead to the country's further alienation from the EU and make any move towards EU accession impossible. They also stated that the policies implemented by the “Georgian Dream“ are incompatible with Georgia's Euro-Atlantic integration.