The European Parliament is set to discuss and vote on a critical resolution on Georgia on Thursday, addressing concerns over the legitimacy of the ruling Georgian Dream government and calling for targeted sanctions against key figures associated with it.
According to a draft resolution, the European Parliament will urge the European Union (EU) to impose sanctions on individuals linked to the Georgian Dream leadership, including influential political figures, business elites, and media executives. The draft resolution, submitted by the main parliamentary groups, expands on previous calls for restrictive measures against those accused of supporting a “repressive state apparatus.”
If adopted, the resolution would call on the EU Council and member states to impose sanctions on what it describes as ruling party founder and honorary chair Bidzina Ivanishvili’s network of supporters, including his close associates, financial backers, and propagandists. The list of individuals proposed for sanctions includes Ivanishvili’s family members, business figures, senior judges, security officials, and media executives.
MEPs are also advocating for sanctions against high-profile Georgian Dream politicians, including Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze, Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, and former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili.
The resolution further challenges the legitimacy of Georgia’s October 26 parliamentary elections, claiming that large-scale electoral fraud undermined the credibility of the results. MEPs argue that the Georgian Dream government lacks legitimacy and are urging EU institutions and national parliaments not to recognize its authority. The resolution also calls for new parliamentary elections to be held under improved electoral conditions, supervised by an independent election administration.
The draft resolution recognizes Salome Zourabichvili as the legitimate president of Georgia and calls on the President of the European Council to invite her to represent Georgia at the next European Council meeting and the European Political Community Summit.
A significant section of the resolution is dedicated to the demand for the release of individuals detained during anti-government protests.
MEPs are urging the “immediate and unconditional release” of all political prisoners, including detained protesters and journalists such as Mzia Amaglobeli, the director of Batumelebi. Additionally, the resolution reiterates calls for the release of former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili on humanitarian grounds, advocating for his transfer abroad for medical treatment.
While European Parliament resolutions are non-binding, they carry significant political weight. However, any decision on sanctions would require unanimous approval by all 27 EU member states – a challenge given that Hungary and Slovakia have expressed opposition to restrictive measures against Georgian Dream officials. In response, the resolution calls for EU member states to impose national-level sanctions where possible.
The vote on the resolution is scheduled at 15:00 Tbilisi time, with potential amendments to the draft still on the table.
