Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have adopted a resolution calling the recent elections in Georgia illegitimate. The resolution calls for a boycott of Georgia’s current authorities and recognizes former President Salome Zourabichvili as the country’s legitimate leader.
The MEPs are urging the European Council and its member states to impose sanctions on individuals responsible for democratic backsliding and electoral fraud. The European Parliament, however, only serves an advisory role in external relations, meaning the European Commission’s cooperation is essential for implementing any sanctions.
The call for new elections follows substantial protests since the October elections, driven by electoral irregularities reported by neutral observers. Despite the unrest, the incumbent president, Mikheil Kavelashvili, has been criticized for suspending EU integration talks while fostering closer ties with Russia. The situation in Georgia has compromised its candidacy for EU expansion, which has been halted until 2028, primarily due to violence against political and media figures as well as protestors.
Historically, the EU has imposed sanctions on other nations such as Venezuela and Russia, focusing on issues of illegitimacy and violations of international norms.
As Georgia navigates its political turbulence, the EU’s stance and subsequent actions could play a critical role in shaping the country’s international relationships and domestic politics. For more details, refer to the full article on JURIST.