European Parliament condemns 2024 elections in Georgia, calls for sanctions & re-run
The European Parliament (EP/the Parliament) has passed a resolution denouncing the parliamentary elections held on October 26, 2024 in Georgia, a European Union (EU) candidate country, labeling them as neither fair nor free. This resolution underscores the ongoing democratic decline in Georgia, placing full responsibility on the ruling Georgian Dream party.
Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) condemned several electoral violations, including vote manipulation, voter intimidation, reported tampering with electronic voting machines and interference with media and election observers. According to MEPs, the results announced by Georgia’s Central Election Commission do not accurately reflect the will of the Georgian people. Consequently, the Parliament rejected the recognition of the Georgia elections 2024 and urged the international community to do the same, advocating for a re-run within a year under an independent election administration and strict international supervision.
The European Parliament posted on X, “Due to significant irregularities, MEPs reject the outcome of the recent parliamentary elections in Georgia and call for them to be re-run within a year.”
Due to significant irregularities, MEPs reject the outcome of the recent parliamentary elections in Georgia and call for them to be re-run within a year.
Press release: https://t.co/4wFcd7SL6l pic.twitter.com/oWHdzfNT9W
— European Parliament (@Europarl_EN) November 28, 2024
The EP also supported an unbiased global inquiry into the possible election tampering. It called for the European Union and its member states to enact personal sanctions against Georgian officials and political leaders accountable for the country’s democratic regression, breaches of electoral laws and the exploitation of state institutions. According to the Parliament, such political leaders and officials include former Prime Minister and oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Speaker of the Georgian Parliament Shalva Papuashvili and Tbilisi Mayor and Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party Kakha Kaladze. MEPs also urged the EU to severely limit formal contacts with the Georgian government and parliament, noting that Georgia’s recent anti-democratic legislation, such as the “law on transparency and foreign influence,” has effectively halted its EU integration process.
The EP vehemently denounced Russia’s methodical meddling in the democratic processes of Georgia, including disinformation campaigns like the ‘Global War Party’ conspiracy, which falsely claims that the opposition would lead the country into war with Russia under Western orders. MEPs warned Georgian officials that any efforts to prohibit legally recognized political parties would further distance the country from the EU and make EU accession impossible. They asserted that the policies of the Georgian Dream party do not align with Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration goals.
During the November 13-14 plenary session, MEPs had discussed the results of Georgia’s recent parliamentary elections with European Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas.
The resolution was adopted with 444 votes in favor, 72 against, and 82 abstentions. The full resolution is available here.
Featured image credit: © Vano SHLAMOV / AFP
