European Parliament Condemns Georgia's Democratic Decline Amidst Crackdown on Dissent, Urges Sanctions and New Elections

Strasbourg, France – The European Parliament has delivered a stark message to Georgia, adopting a sweeping resolution that condemns the nation's "democratic backsliding and repression" and calls for new parliamentary elections. Passed on July 9 with a significant majority of 490 votes in favor and 147 against, the resolution asserts that the Georgian state has become "a victim of capture by a single group" and underscores a significant deterioration in the country's democratic landscape since late 2023.

This critical resolution comes as Georgia grapples with a deepening political crisis, which has persisted since the autumn of 2024 following parliamentary elections marred by irregularities. The European Union had granted Georgia candidate status in December 2023, a long-sought achievement. However, this process was effectively frozen indefinitely, and financial support cut, after the Georgian government adopted a controversial "foreign agent" law, widely viewed by the EU as influenced by Russia and authoritarian in nature.

Public Blames Ruling Party for Crisis Amidst Widespread Discontent

A recent poll conducted by the Institute for Social Studies and Analysis (ISSA) between June 17 and 29, 2025, reveals widespread concern among Georgian citizens. A significant majority of the population (72%) acknowledges a political crisis in the country, with most respondents directly blaming the ruling Georgian Dream party for the situation. This sentiment is particularly strong among Tbilisi residents (83%) and pro-European opposition voters (89%).

The poll also indicates that 55% of Georgia's population supports holding new parliamentary elections, a figure that rises to 63% in Tbilisi and 88% among pro-European opposition voters. Conversely, 82% of Georgian Dream voters oppose new elections. Public trust in media is split, with opposition-leaning channels like Pirveli (63%) and Formula (51%) enjoying higher trust than pro-government outlets like Imedi (45%) and Public Broadcaster (23%).

Economic concerns also weigh heavily on citizens, with about one-third nationwide reporting a worsening of their family's economic situation. High prices, occupied territories, emigration, and low wages are identified as top issues.

European Parliament's Unprecedented Stance

The European Parliament's resolution marks its first comprehensive report on Georgia since the country gained EU candidate status. It explicitly refuses to recognize the results of the October 2024 parliamentary elections or the legitimacy of the Georgian Dream government, declaring recently adopted repressive laws illegal.

The resolution's key demands and condemnations include:

Condemnation of Repression: Strong condemnation of violent repression, arbitrary detentions, and systematic mistreatment of peaceful protesters, civil society representatives, political opponents, and media figures.

Call for Sanctions: An urgent call for targeted personal sanctions against Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of Georgian Dream and de facto ruler of Georgia, his family members, and his companies, urging the EU and the UK to freeze his financial assets. Other officials, including Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze, are also held responsible for democratic backsliding.

Judicial Independence: Expresses serious concern over the lack of judicial independence, noting that judges linked to Georgian Dream are overseeing politically motivated trials.

Release of Political Prisoners: Reiterates calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners.

Policy Audit: Demands an immediate and comprehensive audit of the EU's policy toward Georgia and a review of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement's implementation.

Electoral Environment: Warns that upcoming municipal elections in autumn 2025 will take place in a deteriorating legal environment, and cannot offer a genuine democratic opportunity unless imprisoned opposition leaders are released and elections are held under independent observation.

Civil Servant Dismissals: Condemns the dismissal of approximately 700 civil servants since December 2024 for supporting EU integration or participating in pro-European protests.

Hungary and Slovakia: Reminds the governments of Hungary and Slovakia of the principle of sincere cooperation and urges them to lift their veto on sanctions against those responsible for democratic backsliding in Georgia.

Escalating Crackdown on Dissent

The resolution's strong language reflects a pattern of increasing repression within Georgia. Recent cases highlight the government's tightening grip on civil society and individual freedoms:

Saba Jikia's Imprisonment: On July 10, Tbilisi City Court Judge Tamar Mchedlidze sentenced 19-year-old Saba Jikia to four years and six months in jail for allegedly "attacking a police officer" during a protest. The police officer, Beka Gotiashvili, stated in court that he sustained no injuries. Jikia, who maintained his innocence, delivered a powerful final statement, expressing fear of defeat but vowing to "fight till the end." Pro-government media, like TV Imedi, inaccurately reported that Jikia used a knife, a claim not supported by trial discussions. Two other protesters, Mate Devidze and Giorgi Mindadze, received similar sentences for "attacking a police officer."

Rosto Zarandia's Administrative Arrest: Activist Rosto Zarandia was sentenced to five days of administrative arrest by the Zugdidi City Court for calling a city hall spokesperson a "goose" in a Facebook comment. This follows new legislative amendments adopted by Georgian Dream in February, which increased administrative detention periods for insulting officials, including via social media. Zarandia had previously been fined multiple times for spray-painting messages in support of jailed journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli, who faces up to seven years for allegedly slapping a police chief.

Imprisonment of Opposition Leaders: The ISSA poll indicates that 49% of Georgians consider the imprisonment of opposition figures like Irakli Okruashvili, Zurab Japaridze, Nika Melia, and Nika Gvaramia to be unjust, with 81% of pro-European opposition voters sharing this view.

Russian Influence and Euro-Atlantic Aspirations

A majority of the Georgian population (55%), excluding Georgian Dream voters, believes the ruling party's foreign policy serves Russia's interests. Despite the government's actions, public support for Euro-Atlantic integration remains overwhelmingly high: 83% support EU membership and a majority backs NATO membership.

Salome Samadashvili of the opposition Lelo – Strong Georgia party emphasized the resolution's importance, particularly ahead of the European Council's discussion on Georgia on July 15. She warned that without political changes, specifically new parliamentary elections, Georgia risks not only a frozen EU accession process but also the loss of key achievements like visa-free travel to the EU.

Adding another layer to the complex political landscape, Abkhazia has passed a new law banning property inheritance for Georgian citizens who fought in the 1992-93 Georgian-Abkhaz war, as well as their family members. This measure, aimed at closing "loopholes for the republic's adversaries," impacts over 200,000 ethnic Georgians displaced by the conflict and counters instances where Georgians had previously managed to defend property rights in Abkhaz or Russian courts.

The European Parliament's resolution, coupled with the ongoing crackdown on dissent and the public's clear desire for a European future, highlights a critical juncture for Georgia. The international community watches closely as the country's government continues on a path that increasingly diverges from democratic values, challenging its stated Euro-Atlantic aspirations.