As Tbilisi’s Rustaveli Avenue filled on November 11 with thousands of demonstrators calling for the annulment of recent parliamentary elections deemed “rigged” by both local opposition and civil society, a high-profile European Union delegation stood alongside them, rallying for democratic reforms in Georgia. The visiting delegation, composed of senior lawmakers from eight EU countries, stressed their commitment to supporting Georgian democracy and European values.

The October 26 election results sparked outrage, with widespread claims of ballot secrecy violations, vote-buying, and voter intimidation. The alleged election misconduct has delayed Georgia’s EU accession prospects and triggered renewed calls for an independent international investigation.

Michael Roth, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the German Bundestag, addressed the crowd, expressing solidarity with the Georgian people and refuting allegations that the EU delegation was overstepping its bounds. “We are glad to be here in Tbilisi again, in the real capital of Europe," he stated. “I know that some people in your country, especially in the government and the ruling party, are not happy about our visit, but we are not enemies, we are friends. We are friends of a free and democratic Georgia, in the heart of Europe, this is your place, which you deserve.”

Addressing the rally directly, Jukka Kopra, chairman of the Defence Committee of the Finnish parliament, drew a historical parallel, recalling his visit to Tbilisi in 1978 during Soviet rule, when Georgians successfully protested a Soviet-imposed language law. “Georgians, you have a good history of demonstrations. You have everything to bring democracy to the country. We are here to support you on your way to democracy and Europe,” he said. “We are Europe, you are Europe, we are all Europe. Never give up on this path.”

Commenting on the allegations of electoral misconduct, Roth said that without “clarification of these allegations, the EU cannot recognise these elections as legitimate”, and, if necessary, called for the suspension of visa-free travel between the EU and Georgia, should election malpractices go unresolved.

A joint call for democracy

The delegation’s visit began with a meeting with Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili, who commended their presence as a strong sign of support from “devoted friends of Georgia”. Zurabishvili addressed the political crisis at a subsequent joint press conference, describing the election as “one-party-managed” and “one-party-rigged”. The president said that achieving “fair elections” is essential to restoring the legitimacy of Georgia’s parliament and government.

Roth supported her message, asserting that “anti-democratic policies” by the Georgian government threaten the country’s democratic foundation and future in Europe. He reiterated the EU’s full endorsement of an independent investigation, stating that if the Georgian judiciary fails to act impartially, international bodies such as the Council of Europe, the OSCE and the EU must intervene.

Following the meeting with Zurabishvili, delegation members engaged with Georgian opposition leaders, who voiced concerns over the government’s approach and the urgent need for accountability. Key topics included Georgia’s European integration and the potential loss of EU benefits, like free trade and visa-free travel, should the government continue what critics say is its anti-European course.

Dimitri Tskitishvili of Gakharia-For Georgia spoke of the importance of a united opposition stance, while Tinatin Bokuchava of Unity-UNM highlighted the need for an international probe given the Georgian Prosecutor’s Office’s perceived lack of neutrality. The opposition’s fears of potential punitive EU actions were echoed by Zurab Japaridze of Coalition for Change, who warned that European sanctions and reduced benefits may be imminent if the ruling party’s trajectory persists.

Georgian Dream pushes back

Georgian Dream responded by denouncing the delegation’s activities as biased interference in the country's domestic affairs. Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze described the delegation’s conduct as counterproductive to Georgia’s national interests, asserting that some members had "directly violated election principles" by allegedly supporting the opposition during the recent parliamentary elections. Kobakhidze’s statement accused the EU representatives of imposing an agenda for “a change of government against the will of citizens”, which he deemed inappropriate for European politicians visiting a sovereign country.

Shalva Papuashvili, chairman of the Georgian parliament, echoed this sentiment, emphasising his refusal to meet with the delegation, which was led by Lithuanian MP Žygimantas Pavilionis. Papuashvili claimed that the delegation's presence was rooted in "political bias" rather than a sincere commitment to dialogue and collaboration. In a published letter, he criticised members for previously supporting anti-government demonstrations and allegedly violating Georgian election law by intervening in domestic political processes. Papuashvili condemned such actions as divisive, arguing that they worsened political polarisation and fuelled tensions around the election.

Later that day, in a statement to the media, Kakha Kaladze, secretary general of the governing Georgian Dream party and mayor of Tbilisi, dismissed the visiting EU officials as “ordinary pests” and accused them of “propagating lies”. His remarks reflected the widening rift between the Georgian government and its European allies, as Georgian Dream continues to reject allegations of electoral misconduct.

Frédéric Petit, vice-chair of the French parliament’s foreign affairs committee, responded to Kaladze's accusations, pointing to the Georgian government’s unwillingness to engage constructively with the EU delegation. “It’s surprising to me that as a parliamentarian, a member of parliament tells me that ‘I won’t meet you because you don’t agree with me’,” Petit said. “For me, it is a complete rejection of what democracy means.”

While the EU delegation’s calls for transparency and reform resonate with many Georgians, especially those protesting in Tbilisi, the ruling party's dismissal of these foreign representatives as meddling “pests” underscores its determination to portray the visit as an unwelcome intervention. 

Georgian Dream’s stance, bolstered by claims of upholding sovereignty, reflects a broader struggle within the country over the direction of its political future and relationship with Europe. However, its refusal to meet with EU parliamentarians has led many to question the government’s commitment to democratic accountability, particularly as EU leaders signal that Georgia’s pathway to membership may be at risk without a fair resolution to electoral grievances.

If the Georgian government continues to resist calls for democratic reforms, the EU may impose consequences, such as revisiting visa-free travel or trade privileges, which could further isolate the nation from its European aspirations. At the same time, the presence of EU officials at Georgian protests illustrates the union’s support for the Georgian people’s democratic rights. As the standoff continues, Georgia’s leaders face a choice: heed the concerns raised by both international allies and domestic advocates for reform, or risk steering the country further from its European trajectory, leaving the door open for increasing polarisation and a more uncertain future.