The Georgian Nightmare Non-Recognition Act has been officially registered in the US Congressional Record, as reported by Voice of America’s Georgian service. The bill, co-authored by Republican Congressman Joe Wilson and Democratic Congressman Steve Cohen, prohibits the United States from recognizing any Georgian government led by ruling Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili or his affiliates.
The proposed legislation, which now awaits review by the House Foreign Affairs and Judiciary Committees, outlines that US policy should neither recognize nor normalize relations with governments under Ivanishvili’s control. The act cites “crimes committed by Ivanishvili’s regime against the Georgian people” as justification for the measure.
If adopted, the act aims to pressure Georgia toward holding new, fair elections and forming a parliament representative of all Georgian citizens and political parties. Cohen, a co-chair of the Helsinki Commission, stated that many commission members seek stronger ties with Georgia, but achieving this requires refusing recognition of the current government, which has been accused of overseeing illegitimate elections.
The bipartisan effort reflects growing international concern over Georgia’s democratic trajectory and the influence of Ivanishvili in its governance.
