On Georgia’s worsening democratic crisis following the recent parliamentary elections and alleged electoral fraud
B-10-2024-0179
on behalf of the Renew Group · Rapporteur: Urmas Paet, Petras Auštrevičius, Malik Azmani, Dan Barna, Michał Kobosko, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Nathalie Loiseau, JanChristoph Oetjen, MarieAgnes StrackZimmermann, Hilde Vautmans, Lucia Yar
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Parliament refuses to recognise the results of Georgia's 26 October 2024 parliamentary elections, citing systematic violations and fraud, and calls for new elections under international supervision within a year.¶ It condemns democratic backsliding, Russia's interference, and attacks on civil society, and calls for freezing EU funds, imposing sanctions on Georgian officials, and reviewing EU policy towards Georgia.¶¶¶
Key points
- Deplores democratic backsliding and holds the ruling Georgian Dream party responsible; condemns violations of free and fair election norms.¶
- Calls for a thorough, swift, transparent and independent investigation into all reported election irregularities and violations.
- Refuses to recognise the election results and calls on Georgian political forces and civil society to engage in inclusive dialogue and organise new elections under international supervision within a year.¶
- Calls on Georgian authorities to ensure full transparency in the electoral process and to uphold European values.¶
- Deplores Russia's interference and propaganda, including the 'Global War Party' conspiracy theory, and calls for building resilience to disinformation.¶
- Stands in solidarity with Georgian people and urges authorities to guarantee the right to assemble and refrain from using force.¶
- Urges Georgian authorities to adopt and implement reforms in line with EU membership objective.¶
- Calls for ceasing attacks on civil society, independent media and LGBTIQ community, and for EU support for Georgian civil society.¶
- Condemns the 'transparency of foreign influence' and 'family values' laws and calls for their immediate withdrawal.¶
- Calls for freezing EU funding to the Georgian Government until violations are addressed and illiberal laws repealed, and for strict conditions on future funding.¶
- Calls for sanctions on Georgian political leaders and officials responsible for democratic backsliding and electoral violations, including specific individuals.¶
- Demands the immediate and unconditional release of former President Mikheil Saakashvili on humanitarian grounds.¶
Who is affected
- Georgian authorities and ruling party: face calls for new elections, investigations, and potential sanctions.¶¶¶
- Georgian civil society and independent media: receive EU support and protection from attacks.¶
- EU institutions and member states: called to freeze funding, impose sanctions, and review policy.¶¶¶
- Bidzina Ivanishvili, Irakli Kobakhidze, Kakha Kaladze: targeted for personal sanctions.
- Mikheil Saakashvili: release demanded for medical treatment abroad.¶