Strasbourg (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The EU Parliament has rejected the result of the recent parliamentary elections in Georgia and called for them to be re-run within a year.
On 28 Nov 2024, the European Parliament approved a resolution denouncing the 26 October parliamentary elections in Georgia, an EU candidate country, for being neither free nor fair, illustrating yet another embodiment of the continued democratic decline of the country “for which the ruling Georgian Dream party is fully responsible”.
What electoral violations were cited by the European Parliament?
In their discussions, MEPs condemned the numerous and profound electoral violations, including documented cases of coercion of voters, vote manipulation, interference with election monitors and media and reported manipulation concerning electronic voting machines. They said the vote results reported by the country’s Central Election Commission “do not serve as a reliable representation of the will of the Georgian people.”
What sanctions are proposed against Georgia’s political leaders?
The passed resolution states that EU must impose sanctions and restrict formal connections with the Georgian government and calls for an independent international inquiry into the allegations of electoral manipulation. Parliament demands that the EU and its member states impose personal sanctions on the administrators and political leaders in Georgia who are liable for democratic backsliding, breaches of electoral laws and standards, and the abuse of state institutions.
How has Russia allegedly interfered in Georgia’s democratic process?
Moreover, the EU Parliament also strongly condemned Russia’s systematic interference in Georgia’s democratic procedures, through disinformation such as the ‘Global War Party’ conspiracy, which argues that the country’s opposition would seemingly drag the country into war with Russia under directives from the West. MEPs also issued a strict warning to Georgian authorities that any attempts to restrict legally established political parties would further alienate the country from the EU and make any actions towards EU accession impossible. They also say that the policies enforced by the Georgian Dream are inconsistent with Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration.
