We should not just condemn the actions of the ruling government in Georgia. Instead, we should send a very strong signal by imposing severe sanctions, starting with Ivanishvili, the oligarch. Riho Teras, MEP, announced this during the plenary on Georgia at the European Parliament.
In his speech he spoke about the state of democracy in Georgia, and noted that it is getting worse.
According to the European Parliamentarian, the statement by the Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze regarding the banning of the opposition is more than just an alarming signal – it’s evidence of a dictature waiting for its opportunity.
“The democratic situation in Georgia has been deteriorating over the past decade.” In the early years of Ivanishvili’s government, Ivanishvili and his subordinates declared that the Euro-Atlantic and democratic reforms would continue. We hosted a number delegations from our Georgian counterparts from the opposition here, and they warned from the start: “Please be cautious, because Ivanishvili’s regime is attempting to seize the power.
“With each election we see more violent incidents, pre-election events, and arrests of opposition leaders, and the silencing of free media.
The recent statement by Prime Minister Kobakhidze about banning opposition if the “Georgian Dream“, wins the next election is not only an alarming signal – it’s evidence of a dictature waiting for its opportunity. We should not only condemn the actions of ruling regime but also send a clear message by imposing sanctions against the people and organisations responsible for the fall of democracy in Georgia. We should start by setting an example with the leader, oligarch Ivanishvili”, said Teras.
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