MEPs call for EU action if Georgian elections fail

Brussels (The Brussels Morning Newspaper) – MEPs urge European Union measures if Georgian democracy is compromised during upcoming elections.

Members of the European Parliament penned to the EU Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi, with a four-point agenda if the October elections in Georgia aren’t executed democratically. The actions include the recess of EU financial aid, targeted sanctions against those who sabotage democracy, a proper review of Georgia’s EU candidacy, and proper public diplomacy and communication efforts. The letter was issued by MEP Rihards Kols.

what are the MEPs’ demands to safeguard Georgian democracy?

The letter, which is inscribed by 30 MEPs notes the recent authoritarian actions by the Georgian Dream government, with MEPs particularly involved with the Foreign Agents’ law adoption despite mass demonstrations. MEPs mention the timing of the legislation adoption, right before the October elections and express this raises serious concerns that it seeks to stigmatize and reduce the role of CSOs “many of which have been key in promoting democratic values and transparency.”

Why are MEPs worried about Georgia’s democratic process?

This regulation which targets organizations accepting foreign funding, imprints them as “working against national interests” the MEPs said, resembling the tactics utilised by authoritarian regimes, notably Russia, and thus “pose a serious threat to Georgia’s democratic processes” and elections in certain.

In reaction to this “alarming situation,” the MEPs propose “an improved electoral observation mission” to observe not only the large cities but also rural locations, where electoral irregularities are more likely to happen. The observers should be attending not only on election day but throughout the pre-election and post-election periods, the MEPs stated.

What measures should the EU take if Georgian elections fail?

The MEPs propose four actions for the EU to take “if Georgia’s democratic integrity is compromised during these elections”: Suspension of EU Financial Aid: Should there be reasonable evidence of electoral fraud, resistance suppression, or interference in the electoral process, the EU must be willing to suspend its financial support to the Georgian government. Sanctions on Critical Individuals: The EU should assess targeted sanctions on high-level officials within the Georgian state and ruling party who are directly accountable for undermining the democratic process.