EU Parliament calls for new Georgia elections claiming current authorities illegitimate News
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EU Parliament calls for new Georgia elections claiming current authorities illegitimate

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) adopted a resolution on Thursday refusing to recognize the legitimacy of Georgia’s most recent election, calling on the international community to boycott the country’s authorities and ruling elite. The MEPs recognized former President Salome Zourabichvili as the legitimate president of the country.

The resolution called on the European Council and its member states to impose sanctions against officials in Georgia who are “responsible for democratic backsliding, electoral fraud, human rights violations and the persecution of political opponents and activists.” While the resolution may be impactful in terms of public opinion, the European Parliament merely serves an advisory role in external relations. This means that cooperation from the council and the European Commission will be required for the EU to take concrete action, including sanctions.

Sanctions would likely be targeted at ruling party politicians and other officials who are deemed to have funded or facilitated the alleged fraudulent election.

Since the elections in October, there have been mass protests due to electoral irregularities noted by neutral observers, after which incumbent president Salome Zourabichvili refused to step down. The protests demanding new elections have continued for months, with opposition leaders being arrested for their involvement in early February. President Mikheil Kavelashvili has faced criticism for halting EU integration talks and developing a closer relationship with neighboring Russia.

Although Georgia has officially been a candidate for EU expansion since 2022, the accession process was stopped in practice in 2024 due to “violence against peaceful protestors, politicians and media representatives.” In addition, the current government officially suspended the accession process until 2028.

In 2017, the EU imposed targeted sanctions on officials in Venezuela due to illegitimate elections, which continue to this day. The EU has also targeted Russian officials with sanctions due to the invasion of Ukraine.

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