On the democratic backsliding and threats to political pluralism in Georgia
B-10-2024-0079
on behalf of the PPE Group · Rapporteur: Rasa Juknevičienė, Michael Gahler, Andrzej Halicki, Sebastião Bugalho, David McAllister, Željana Zovko, Nicolás Pascual De La Parte, Isabel WiselerLima, Antonio LópezIstúriz White, Wouter Beke, Daniel Caspary, Sandra Kalniete, Ondřej Kolář, Andrey Kovatchev, Andrius Kubilius, Miriam Lexmann, Vangelis Meimarakis, Ana Miguel Pedro, Davor Ivo Stier, Michał Szczerba, Ingeborg Ter Laak, Matej Tonin, Milan Zver
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This resolution condemns Georgia's adoption of laws on foreign influence and family values, and electoral changes, calling them incompatible with EU values and a threat to democracy.¶ It demands Georgian Dream respect election results, stop violence and repression, and urges the EU to consider suspending visa-free travel if elections fail international standards.¶¶ It calls for sanctions on those undermining democracy, including Bidzina Ivanishvili, and urges Georgia to return to its EU path, impose sanctions on Russia, and investigate police brutality.¶¶¶
Key points
- Condemns the adoption of the 'transparency of foreign influence' law, the 'family values and protection of minors' law, and electoral code changes, stating they are incompatible with EU values and endanger Euro-Atlantic integration.¶
- Demands that Georgian Dream respect the will of the people in the 26 October 2024 election and relinquish power peacefully if defeated, and stop violence, intimidation, hate speech, persecution and repression.¶
- Believes the EU should consider temporarily suspending its visa-free regime with Georgia if the election is not in line with international standards and visa liberalisation benchmarks are questioned.¶
- Considers the upcoming election decisive for Georgia's democratic development and EU candidacy, and that the result should allow a return to a pro-Western agenda and launch accession negotiations.¶
- Reiterates support for the Georgian people's European aspirations and appreciates President Zourabishvili's efforts to return Georgia to a democratic path.¶
- Deplores the role of oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili in the political crisis and calls on the Council and EU partners to consider imposing personal sanctions on him.¶
- Calls for the EU and its Member States to impose personal sanctions on all those responsible for undermining democracy, complicit in violence, or spreading anti-Western disinformation.¶
- Highlights that recent legislative decisions betray the aspirations of the majority of Georgian people for democracy, rule of law, and EU membership.¶
- Emphasises that freedom of expression, assembly and peaceful protest must be respected, especially in a country aspiring to join the EU.¶
- Urges the Georgian Government to return to its European path, implement required reforms, and engage with civil society and opposition.¶
- Expresses concern about Russia's increased influence in Georgia and calls on the Government to impose sanctions on Russia for its war against Ukraine.¶
- Calls for the release of former President Mikheil Saakashvili and for an investigation of police brutality during spring protests.¶¶
Who is affected
- Georgian Dream party and its leaders: must respect election results, stop repression, and face potential sanctions.¶¶
- Bidzina Ivanishvili: targeted for personal sanctions for his role in the political crisis.¶
- Georgian citizens: benefit from EU pre-accession assistance if reforms are implemented.¶
- Former President Mikheil Saakashvili: should be released from prison.¶