The European Parliament adopted by 444 votes to 72, with 82 abstentions, a resolution on Georgia’s worsening democratic crisis following the recent parliamentary elections and alleged electoral fraud.
The text adopted in plenary was tabled by the EPP, S&D, ECR, Renew and Green/EFA groups and Members.
As a reminder, parliamentary elections were held in Georgia on 26 October 2024. The months leading up to the elections were characterised by significant attacks on democracy in Georgia, such as the hasty adoption of anti-democratic legislation.
Parliament deplored the fact that Georgia, a candidate country for EU accession, held parliamentary elections on 26 October 2024 that did not respect international standards for democratic elections or its commitments as a member of the OSCE to carry out free and fair elections. It emphasised that violations of electoral integrity are incompatible with the standards expected from an EU candidate country.
Members strongly condemned the numerous and serious electoral violations, including documented cases of intimidation, vote manipulation, ballot-stuffing, interference with election observers and the media, reported manipulation involving electronic voting machines that allowed multiple votes per identity document, significant imbalances in financial resources, the advantages of incumbency and a failure to investigate severe procedural irregularities.
Parliament rejects any recognition of the parliamentary elections and called for them to be re-run within a year, with the process conducted in an improved electoral environment.
The EU is called on to:
- impose personal sanctions on the officials and political leaders in Georgia who are responsible for the democratic backsliding, violations of electoral laws and standards, administrative abuses and misuse of state institutions;
- severely limit formal EU-level contacts with the Georgian Government and Parliament.
As a result of the adoption of new anti-democratic legislation, such as the ‘law on transparency of foreign influence’ and the ‘law on family values and protection of minors’, the process of Georgia’s integration into the EU has effectively been suspended. The EU has also frozen the allocation of funds to Georgia.
Parliament strongly condemned Russia’s systematic interference in democratic processes within Georgia. It deplored the disinformation narratives disseminated and amplified by ruling party officials and government-affiliated media in the run-up to the elections.
Lastly, Parliament called for a comprehensive review and overhaul of EU policy towards Georgia and for the Commission to use the frozen EUR 120 million originally intended as support for the Georgian authorities to enhance the EU’s support for Georgia’s civil society.