On Georgia’s worsening democratic crisis following the recent parliamentary elections and alleged electoral fraud
B-10-2024-0182
on behalf of the PPE Group · Rapporteur: Rasa Juknevičienė, Antonio LópezIstúriz White, Michael Gahler, Andrzej Halicki, David McAllister, Sebastião Bugalho, Isabel WiselerLima, Nicolás Pascual de la Parte, Mika Aaltola, Wouter Beke, Krzysztof Brejza, Daniel Caspary, Sandra Kalniete, Łukasz Kohut, Andrey Kovatchev, Ana Miguel Pedro, Davor Ivo Stier, Riho Terras, Matej Tonin, Milan Zver
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This resolution condemns the reported electoral fraud in Georgia's 26 October 2024 parliamentary elections, considers the results illegitimate, and calls for an international investigation and re-run of the elections.¶¶¶ It calls for sanctions on Georgian officials, suspension of visa-free travel for implicated individuals, and reallocation of frozen EU funds to civil society.¶¶¶ It also demands the release of former President Mikheil Saakashvili on humanitarian grounds.¶
Key points
- Strongly condemns numerous and serious electoral violations during the 26 October 2024 parliamentary elections, including intimidation, vote manipulation, ballot-stuffing, and interference with observers and media.¶
- Considers that reported electoral fraud undermines the integrity of the election process and the legitimacy of the results, and does not represent the will of the Georgian people.¶
- Supports an independent, transparent international investigation into electoral manipulation and urges Georgian authorities to make voting protocols publicly accessible.¶
- Welcomes the EEAS technical mission to Georgia and calls for a broad mandate to assess electoral framework manipulation, ensuring anonymity and protection for whistleblowers and journalists.¶
- Rejects recognition of the parliamentary elections and calls for them to be re-run under an independent national electoral authority and stringent international supervision.¶
- Expresses concern over the decline in female political representation due to the abolition of gender quotas and calls for legislative changes to encourage gender equality in politics.¶
- Calls for EU and Member States to impose personal sanctions on officials responsible for election violations, including Bidzina Ivanishvili, and to freeze his assets.¶
- Urges the Commission and Council to review Georgia's visa-free status, with possible suspension, and calls for immediate suspension for diplomatic and service passport holders implicated in violations.¶
- Recalls that Georgia's EU integration is suspended due to anti-democratic legislation and that funds are frozen; stresses the need to reverse democratic backsliding.¶¶
- Reiterates support for the Georgian people's European aspirations and calls for a prosperous, democratic country respecting fundamental freedoms.¶
- Calls for the Commission to use the frozen EUR 120 million to enhance support for Georgia's civil society, including NGOs and independent media.¶
- Demands the immediate and unconditional release of former President Mikheil Saakashvili on humanitarian grounds for medical treatment abroad.¶
Who is affected
- Georgian authorities and ruling party: face calls for re-run of elections, sanctions, and suspension of visa-free travel for implicated officials.¶¶¶
- Georgian civil society and independent media: would benefit from reallocated EU funds.¶
- Former President Mikheil Saakashvili: release demanded for medical treatment abroad.¶
Figures and deadlines
- EUR 120 million originally intended as support for Georgian authorities, to be reallocated to civil society.¶