On September 20, a group of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) sent a letter to Olivér Várhelyi, the European Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement, outlining a four-point plan in case the upcoming October elections in Georgia are not conducted democratically. The letter, which was published by MEP Rihards Kols on Twitter, expresses concern over recent authoritarian measures taken by the Georgian Dream government.
The MEPs propose four actions for the EU to take if the elections are compromised:
1. Suspension of EU Financial Aid: If there is evidence of electoral fraud, opposition suppression, or interference in the electoral process, the EU should suspend its financial aid to the Georgian government. This includes grants and loans under the Eastern Partnership initiative and trade agreements such as the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA). However, aid to civil society and non-governmental organizations should continue to ensure support for democracy and human rights.
2. Sanctions on Key Individuals: The EU should impose targeted sanctions on high-level officials within the Georgian government and ruling party who are responsible for undermining the democratic process. This could include freezing assets, imposing visa bans, and restricting travel. These sanctions will send a clear message that the EU will not tolerate actions that erode democracy.
3. Formal Review of Georgia’s EU Candidacy: If the elections do not meet international standards of fairness and transparency, the EU should initiate a formal review of Georgia’s EU membership path. This review should assess whether the ruling party’s actions align with the values and principles of the EU.
4. Enhanced Electoral Observation Mission: The MEPs also propose an enhanced electoral observation mission to monitor not only the major cities, but also rural areas where electoral irregularities are more likely to occur. The observers should be present throughout the pre-election and post-election periods, not just on election day.
The MEPs also express concern over the recent adoption of the Foreign Agents’ law, which targets organizations receiving foreign funding and brands them as “working against national interests.” They note that this law resembles tactics used by authoritarian regimes and poses a threat to Georgia’s democratic processes.
In conclusion, the MEPs urge the EU to take decisive action if the October elections in Georgia are not conducted democratically. They believe that these measures will send a strong message to the Georgian government and help protect the integrity of the democratic process.
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