In a report adopted on Wednesday by 490 votes in favour, 147 against with 49 abstentions, Parliament says the rigged October 2024 parliamentary elections in Georgia marked a clear turning point towards an authoritarian government in the EU candidate country. This flawed election paved the way, they say, for the ruling Georgian Dream party to illicitly capture state institutions and remove democratic safeguards, push ahead with repressive legislation while also cracking down on political opponents, journalists, and peaceful protesters.

With the Georgian government jeopardising the country’s EU accession path, MEPs renew their calls for new parliamentary elections in Georgia to take place under international and independent domestic monitoring. Until such a ballot is organised, Parliament will continue to not recognise Georgia’s current one-party parliament and president and call on the EU and member states to impose bilateral and coordinated personal sanctions against key Georgian Dream officials and those responsible for the country’s democratic backsliding. MEPs also call for an immediate audit of the EU’s policy towards Georgia and for the European Commission to review the implementation of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement.

While calling on Georgian Dream to return to a democratic path and Euro-Atlantic integration, MEPs reiterate their solidarity with the Georgian people and their legitimate pro-European aspirations. MEPs emphasise that upcoming municipal elections do not present an opportunity to reflect the democratic choice of the Georgian people unless imprisoned and detained political opposition leaders are released and the elections are held in an improved electoral environment. They also express deep concern over Georgia’s current restrictive media environment and attacks on the political opposition, including declarations by leaders of Georgian Dream indicating their intention to declare opposition parties unconstitutional.

“Sadly, we could not assess any progress by Georgia because, from having once been an inspiring leader among Eastern Partnership countries, Georgia has become a brutal dictatorship. Since the adoption of this report in committee, the situation has deteriorated: almost all leaders of the opposition have been detained and are in jail. Independent media are on the verge of collapse. The largest civil society organisations face threats and severe legal restrictions. Georgia is an example of how a country can be captured by Russian interests from within without a shot being fired. But the Georgian people are not giving up, they continue protesting every day, for more than 200 days, despite violent repression. The EU and its member states must take action before it is too late. We owe it to the brave Georgians fighting for a free and pro-European future,” rapporteur Rasa Juknevičienė (EPP, Lithuania) said.