**Georgia Withdraws from PACE After Call for New Elections**
On January 29, Georgia withdrew its delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) after the Assembly passed a resolution calling for new parliamentary elections in the country.
The resolution was adopted in response to the fall 2024 parliamentary elections in Georgia, which were marked by mass protests and allegations of widespread fraud. The opposition groups and international monitors pointed out evidence of irregularities, while the ruling Georgian Dream party declared a sweeping victory.
**Resolution Calls for New Elections and Reforms**
The PACE resolution calls on the Georgian government to hold new genuinely democratic parliamentary elections. It also demands the release of all political prisoners and immediate steps to resume Georgia’s integration into the European Union.
Georgia remains a member of the Council of Europe but will not resume work with PACE until “the blackmail ends” and the Assembly “changes its unfair attitude towards the Georgian state,” said Teia Tsulukiani, head of the Georgian parliamentary delegation.
**Reaction from PACE President**
PACE President Theodoros Rousopoulos expressed regret over the decision to withdraw from the Assembly. He stated that the withdrawal jeopardizes dialogue that could help advance democratic standards in Georgia.
**Background on Georgia’s Relations with Europe and Russia**
Under the leadership of the ruling Georgian Dream party, founded by oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili, Tbilisi has moved closer to Russia and stalled its accession to the EU. The country has incurred sanctions from the US, EU, and Ukraine due to its apparent anti-democratic trajectory.
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