On Georgia’s worsening democratic crisis following the recent parliamentary elections and alleged electoral fraud
B-10-2024-0180
on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group · Rapporteur: Markéta Gregorová, Nicolae Ştefănuță, Mārtiņš Staķis, Leoluca Orlando, Virginijus Sinkevičius, Sergey Lagodinsky, Reinier Van Lanschot
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Parliament condemns violations during Georgia's 26 October 2024 parliamentary elections and calls for a full independent investigation, refusing to recognise results until violations are addressed.¶ It urges Georgian authorities to meet with the President and opposition, implement OSCE recommendations, repeal certain laws, and support EU-led mediation and a technical mission.¶¶¶ It backs redirecting over EUR 100 million from the Georgian government to civil society and supports halting Georgia's EU accession process.¶¶ It calls for sanctions on those orchestrating electoral manipulation and for EU intelligence cooperation on Russian interference.¶¶
Key points
- Condemns all contraventions of international norms during the elections and calls for a full, independent investigation into all reports of violations without delay.¶
- Cannot recognise the CEC reported election results unless reported violations are adequately investigated.
- Expresses serious concern about systematic dismissal of election fraud lawsuits and lack of investigation by the CEC.¶
- Calls on Georgian authorities to meet with President Zourabichvili and opposition, proposes EU-led mediation, and urges implementation of OSCE ODIHR recommendations.¶
- Calls for repeal of the law 'on transparency of foreign influence' and the law 'on family values and protection of minors'.¶
- Condemns disinformation narratives by ruling party officials and government-affiliated media, including false narratives about the EU and Ukraine.¶
- Condemns attacks on civil society and expresses concern about intimidation and assaults on protesters, civil society, and journalists.¶
- Highlights decline in female candidates after gender quota abolition, calling it a setback for diversity.¶
- Condemns intention to ban opposition parties, stating it would make EU accession talks impossible.¶
- Condemns violent dispersal of protests on 19 November 2024 and violence against journalists.¶
- Welcomes VP/HR Borrell's proposal for an EU technical mission to investigate electoral fraud and calls for its deployment as soon as possible.¶
- Calls on EU member states' intelligence services to collaborate on Russian interference in Georgia's politics.¶
Who is affected
- Georgian authorities, including the ruling Georgian Dream party, are called to meet with opposition and implement reforms.¶¶
- Georgian civil society organisations may receive redirected EU funding of over EUR 100 million.¶
- EU member states and institutions are called to impose sanctions and adjust funding mechanisms.¶
- Georgian people, especially young people, are supported in their democratic aspirations.¶¶