**Georgia’s Opposition Leaders Urge EU to Support European Values**
Leaders of Georgia’s opposition parties have written a joint letter to the European Union, calling for support in their fight against authoritarianism and election violations. The letter was addressed to the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, and foreign ministers of EU member states.
The opposition leaders, including Nika Melia, Tina Bokuchava, Mamuka Khazaradze, and Zaza Tavadze, expressed their concerns about the pro-Russian presidential candidate and the suspension of Georgia’s EU accession process. They urged the EU to take urgent measures to support the Georgian people and protect European values.
The opposition leaders called for:
* The release of all detained politicians, activists, and peaceful demonstrators
* Targeted sanctions against those responsible for undermining democracy
* Suspension of visa-free travel and visa restrictions for Georgian Dream officials
* Declaration of the “self-proclaimed regime” of Bidzina Ivanishvili as illegitimate
Similar actions have already been taken by the United States, which announced visa bans on approximately 20 Georgian individuals accused of undermining democracy.
The opposition leaders emphasized that EU support is vital to their success and stressed that the Georgian people are courageously resisting Russian-backed authoritarianism and fighting for their democratic European future.
**Background:**
Protests have erupted in Georgia against the ruling Georgian Dream party, fueled by accusations of democratic backsliding and alignment with Russian interests. The party’s suspension of Georgia’s EU accession process until at least 2028 has intensified public outrage.
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili has criticized these actions and vowed to remain in office until a legitimate parliament is elected. President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Zourabichvili on December 7, expressing solidarity with the Georgian people and condemning the Ivanishvili-led government for undermining Georgia’s democratic aspirations.