In a draft resolution, The European Parliament calls upon the European Union (EU) to freeze aid to Georgian government. It also urges the EU to sanction BidzinaIvanishvili, as well as those responsible for the decline in democracy, and to ensure that anti-democratic legislation is in compliance with the criteria for visa liberalization.
The draft resolution calls for the Georgian government, to stop the campaign against opponents and anti-Western misinformation, to impose sanction on Russia, and to release the ex-president Mikheil Sakaashvili, on humanitarian grounds. It also calls for a peaceful transfer power based on results of the election.
The European Parliament will vote, on October 9, on the resolution “On Georgia’s decline in democracy and threats to its political pluralism”. The draft was initially prepared by seven different political groups in the parliament. Ultimately, the text was agreed upon by the “European People’s Party (EPP),” European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), Renew Europe (Greens/ALE), and “Social Democrats”. The text was agreed between the political groups. During the voting, the text may be amended.
The draft joint resolution states there have been significant assaults on democracy in Georgia during the past months. MEPs are concerned about the so-called Russian law on agents. They also have concerns about the law restricting LGBT rights and imposing censorship.
The draft resolution states: “This hostile rhetoric is also applicable to Ukraine as the ruling party uses vile banners depicting Ukrainian towns destroyed by Russia, and profits from the sufferings of brave Ukrainians.”
It is also highlighted that the leaders of Georgia’s ruling party approved the statement by the Russian Foreign Minister, that Moscow is willing to help Georgia normalize its relations with “neighboring… Abkhazia” and “South Ossetia”, a move that, according to the resolution’s authors, “demonstrates a change in the policy of Georgian government to recognize the occupied areas”.
The European Parliament has a specific proposal for a resolution:
“Deeply regretted the democratic backsliding that is occurring in Georgia in the current year and especially in the lead-up to the elections for the European Parliament on 26 October 2024. Draft resolution:Strongly condemned the adoption of laws on the “transparency and protection of minors” and “family value and protection of children”, as well amendments to election code.
The [European] Parliament once again calls upon the [European] Council, the democratic partners of European Union, to impose targeted and immediate personal sanctions on Ivanishvili in response to his role in the deterioration in the political process of Georgia.
“[The European Parliament] notes on December 14 and 15 2023 that the European Council granted Georgia status as a candidate country, in the sense that the appropriate steps would be undertaken based on the European Commission’s recommendations published on November 8, 2023. [The European Parliament] highlights that the recently passed laws clearly contradict this ambitious and have stopped Georgia’s integration into the European Union.
“[The European Parliament] calls on the European Commission again to assess the impact of Georgia’s ongoing implementation on visa liberalization requirements. This includes the fundamental rights requirement which is a critical component of the EU visa liberalization policy. Other factors include the “transparency and foreign influence” laws and the “family values and minor protection” laws, as well as the abolition and other changes made in the electoral law, including the removal of gender quotas, and the implementation of Venice Commission recommendations, and the conduct of international standards
“[The European Parliament] reiterates its demand for the immediate, unconditional release of former president Mikheil Sakaashvili for humanitarian reasons so that he can receive medical assistance abroad. [The European Parliament] stresses that the Government of Georgia is fully and undisputedly responsible for the life, safety, and well-being of the former President Mikheil Sakaashvili and should be held accountable for any harm that may have been caused to him.
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