The European Parliament discussed the situation in Georgia on November 13, with particular focus on the country’s disputed parliamentary elections, in which the incumbent Georgia Dream (GD) party won 54% of the vote. 

The October 26 vote garnered international attention following widespread reports of electoral violations and voting irregularities on polling day, prompting the Georgian pro-Western opposition to allege a rigged vote and reject the result.

“These elections do not meet the standards expected of a country holding EU candidate country,” stated the Vice-President of the European Commission Margaritis Schinas, who continued to thank the MEP election observers who “provided insights into the climate of intimidation and pressure that marked the electoral process”.

“I and six of my colleagues participated in an election observation mission in Georgia, where we witnessed fraud and intimidation,” MEP Nathalie Loiseau told the parliament.

International observers also found the pre-election period in Georgia to be characterised by “entrenched polarisation”, “concerns over recently adopted legislation and its impact on fundamental freedoms and civil society”, “highly divisive campaign rhetoric” and “widespread reports of pressure on voters”.

In the run up to voting day GD used the threat of a war-torn future resembling Ukraine’s reality – which it claimed the opposition would bring – to push voters into choosing peace, something the ruling party insisted they alone could guarantee.

“The ruling party benefitted from an uneven playing field, using its significant resources and the public’s fear of war to present itself as the only political force capable of ensuring peace and stability,” said Schinas. 

Georgia was granted EU candidate status in December 2023, to the delight of many in the small Caucasus nation. However, recent action by Georgian Dream, most recently the adoption of two illiberal bills and the flawed October elections, has put these dreams on hold, with the EU being forced to officially pause the accession process.

MEPs also discussed the allegations of Russian interference in the recent vote, and more broadly, the turn GD seems to be taking towards a Kremlin style of governance, seemingly under instruction or guidance from those in Moscow. MEP Malgorzata Gosiewska stated that such alliances have no place in Europe.

“Since the 2020 elections, Georgia has been returning to an authoritarian regime, and unfortunately, those in power now benefit from Russia. It’s time to draw conclusions. We call on you to isolate the current Georgian government, freeze aid, and suspend visa-free access for the regime,” she said.

The European Parliament will adopt a resolution on the issue of the October 26 elections, will be put to a vote during the EU Parliament plenary session on November 25-28.

With the pro-Western opposition in Georgia looking to Europe for support and solidarity, the European Parliament’s decision will have a huge impact on their morale.

“Protests are now underway in Georgia, with people waving Georgian and EU flags, expecting much from the European Union,” said Loiseau.

“When we see [EU flags] we know this is also about us, not only about them,” Schinas added, noting the frequent street protests which have been taking place in Tbilisi since the vote, in which thousands of Georgians are “voicing dissatisfaction with results and conduct of elections”.