Strasbourg, 9 October 2024
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Repressive laws are stifling media, civil society and the LGBTQ+ community
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Georgia must roll back undemocratic legislation in order to make progress in its relations with the EU
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MEPs call for the sanctioning of oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili and those undermining Georgia’s democracy
In a resolution adopted on Wednesday, MEPs say current democratic backsliding in Georgia effectively puts the country’s integration with the EU on hold.
Despite Georgia being granted EU candidate status in December 2023, Parliament’s resolution highlights how the ruling Georgian Dream party has pushed an increasingly authoritarian agenda, including on media freedom and LGBTQ+ rights. Coupled with changes to the country’s electoral legislation and growing anti-EU rhetoric, MEPs say these laws violate the freedom of expression, censor media, impose restrictions on critical voices in civil society and the NGO sector and discriminate against vulnerable people. They also make clear that unless the legislation is rescinded, progress cannot be made in Georgia’s relations with the EU.
Georgian government officials are fuelling a climate of hatred
MEPs want a thorough investigation of police brutality against the peaceful protestors who took to the streets in the spring of 2024 to protest against Georgian Dream’s Moscow-style law declaring Western-funded media outlets and non-governmental organisations as “foreign agents”. They are also worried by the climate of hatred and intimidation fuelled by statements by representatives of the Georgian government and political leaders, as well as by the government’s attacks on political pluralism. The resolution condemns comments by oligarch and Georgian Dream ‘honorary chairman’ Bidzina Ivanishvili and leading figures of the government threatening to ban opposition parties and referring to the opposition as a “criminal political force”.
Georgia’s integration into the EU effectively put on hold
Against the backdrop of this continuing decline of Georgia’s democracy, Parliament demands the freezing of all EU funding provided to the Georgian government until the undemocratic laws are repealed. Any future funding of the Georgian government can only be disbursed under strict conditions, MEPs argue.
They recall that the European Council of 14 and 15 December 2023 granted Georgia candidate country status on the understanding that steps set out in the European Commission recommendation of 8 November 2023 would be taken. The Georgian government’s current authoritarian trajectory, they say, clearly goes against this ambition and has effectively put on hold Georgia’s integration with the EU.
MEPs believe the upcoming parliamentary elections will be decisive in determining Georgia’s future democratic development and geopolitical choice, as well as its ability to make progress on its EU member state candidacy. They urge the Georgian authorities to ensure that the elections adhere to the highest international standards and to respect the will and free choice of the Georgian people.
Sanctions on those who threaten Georgia’s democracy
The resolution calls for the EU and its member states to hold to account and impose personal sanctions on all those responsible for undermining democracy in Georgia, including Bidzina Ivanishvili.
The text was adopted by 495 votes in favour, 73 against and 86 abstentions.
Source – EU Parliament
Georgia: Speech by Vice President for Values and Transparency, Věra Jourová, on behalf of High Representative Josep Borrell in the EP plenary
Opening remarks
President, Honourable Members of the European Parliament,
On 26 October, over three million Georgians will cast their vote to elect a new Parliament. These parliamentary elections are pivotal for Georgia’s European Union path. They will also be a critical test for Georgia’s democracy.
Last December, when Georgia was granted European Union candidate status, we hoped this would be a strong incentive for the government to undertake significant reforms towards opening European Union negotiations.
Instead, in recent months, the governing authorities have proposed laws that have moved the country away from this goal.
Despite massive protests, the foreign influence law – which stifles civil society and media organisations – was reintroduced and adopted. Other proposals that discriminate against and stigmatise the LGBTQI community and weaken the independence of state institutions have also been put forward. At the same time, anti-European Union rhetoric has grown louder.
First, I want to thank you, the European Parliament, for being vocal about the situation in Georgia and calling strongly for European Union action in response to the Georgian government’s unprecedented anti-democratic actions and rhetoric.
The European Union has responded with appropriate measures: Georgia’s European Union accession process has been halted, political contacts have been downgraded, European Union support through the European Peace Facility, worth €30 million, is on hold, while the assistance portfolio is being reviewed.
We have repeatedly called on the Georgian authorities to reverse their course of action and we have increased our communication towards the Georgian citizens. Many of you have echoed such calls.
These measures can be reversed and the solution is simple if there is political will: Georgian authorities need to start by repealing laws that contradict the stated goal of joining the European Union, particularly laws that restrict fundamental rights and freedoms.
Second comment, we have also heard false accusations and blatant disinformation about the European Union and its values spread by ruling party officials, including the Prime Minister[Irakli Kobakhidze] and Members of the Parliament. Claims that the European Union and the West are trying to open a second front in Georgia or seeking the “Ukrainisation” of the country are unacceptable, false, and harmful to our relations. These narratives only serve Russia and its propaganda. The European Union will continue to expose such false narratives and respond to anti-democratic actions.
Finally, the upcoming parliamentary elections will be a strong test for Georgia’s democracy. The electoral campaign has already been marred by troubling statements and actions from the ruling party, including promises to ban opposition parties and efforts to restrict civil society and the media. Such tactics resemble those of authoritarian regimes. If these measures are implemented, they would clearly contradict Georgia’s stated goal to join the European Union and the values and principles that underpin European Union membership.
The European Union will closely follow the conduct of these upcoming elections. It is our expectation that they will be peaceful, free, and fair, truly reflecting the will of the Georgian people.
The European Union’s door remains open, but the Georgian authorities need first to realign with European Union values and norms, and recommit to Georgia’s European Union path. We are ready to support and work with all Georgians on their path towards European Union membership.
Thank you.
Link to the video (starting at 00:20) https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-261643
Closing remarks
President, Honourable Members,
The debate today demonstrated that we share the wish to see Georgia succeeding in its reforms and on its European path. This is also the strong wish of the people of Georgia.
The future of Georgia, including its European Union path, is fully in the hands of its citizens and leaders. Ahead of the parliamentary elections, it is important that political leaders reduce polarisation and engage positively with the citizens. Elections need to be carried out in a peaceful and inclusive environment.
The European Union will continue to monitor all developments in the country. True progress on the European Union path depends on democratic and sustainable reforms, in line with the core principles of European integration. Upholding political diversity, human rights, a vibrant civil society, and independent media are also central to the enlargement process.
The European Union’s doors remain open, and we stand ready to support the country in all reform efforts, but we will clearly denounce any actions that may undermine democracy, human rights and the rule of law. This is all for the benefit of the Georgian people.
Thank you very much.
Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-261645
Source – EEAS
Greens/EFA: Moldova’s and Georgia’s democracies under threat from authoritarians, Gregorova warns
Moldova is holding presidential elections on 20 October and, in addition to these, a referendum on EU accession is also taking place on the same day. It is here, according to experts and Markéta Gregorova, that Russia is threatening to interfere and is seeking to prevent this accession.
Markéta Gregorová, Pirate Member of the European Parliament, Vice-Chair of the Delegation to the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly, comments:
“It is absolutely unacceptable for Russia to interfere in any way in the elections of a sovereign state in an attempt to influence the results of independent elections in its favour. The EU and its Member States must continue to assist Moldova in improving its resilience to these hybrid attacks, both in cyber security and strategic communications. It is also essential that the EU demands accountability from those involved in the interference. That is why I support the imposition of sanctions on those who attempt to weaken Moldova’s democratic institutions. Addressing the existing corruption problems and reforming the judicial system are important steps to ensure that Moldovan society is able to protect itself from foreign interference in the long term.”
“The current ruling party in Georgia is not far from establishing an authoritarian regime in the country. Political diversity and the ability to vote for the parties we want is an important part of democracy. The suppression of human rights and the restriction of freedom of expression are practices of authoritarians that the goverment in Georgia is inspired by. It is therefore important that Georgia’s main concern is independent elections.”
Source – Greens/EFA
ECR Group: The EU must support the Georgian people!
The ECR Group welcomes the overwhelming support with which the European Parliament has condemned the democratic setbacks and threats to political pluralism in Georgia. Speaking in the debate, ECR shadow rapporteur on the resolution Rihards Kols said: “What we are witnessing in Georgia is nothing less than a deliberate attempt to dismantle democracy”.
The country has recently experienced a worrying democratic decline, mainly due to the actions of the ruling party, Georgian Dream. The weakening of democratic institutions and the rise of authoritarian tendencies are in line with Russia’s strategy of distancing Georgia from the EU and NATO, and pushing it towards greater dependence on Moscow.
Kols said:
“The actions of the current government, however, put the future at risk. It is vital that the upcoming elections meet the highest standards of transparency, fairness, and freedom.
“While the government may try to manipulate the narrative, the aspirations of the Georgian people for a democratic, pro-European future cannot and will not be silenced. Their democratic will must prevail.”
The ECR Group stresses the importance of the release of former President Mikheil Saakashvili, whose arrest is considered an abuse of political power. In the view of ECR MEPs, the forthcoming elections in Georgia on 26 October are likely to be the most important since the Rose Revolution, as they will determine the country’s direction for the next few years or even decades.
The text was adopted with 495 votes in favour, 73 against and 86 abstentions.