Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has described a draft resolution critical of his government, currently under discussion in the European Parliament, as an attack on the country. At the same time, he praised an alternative text prepared by the pro-Russian political group Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) as a “pro-Georgian” resolution.
The ESN draft resolution, which is supportive of Georgian Dream, was authored by six Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), four of whom belong to Alternative for Germany (AfD)—a far-right, Eurosceptic party known for its nationalist, Islamophobic, and pro-Russian stances.
However, the ESN’s draft was not included in the final joint resolution prepared by the mainstream political groups of the European Parliament, which will be put to a vote today.
The Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) group, also called the Sovereignists, is the smallest political faction in the European Parliament, formed in July 2024 and currently comprising 25 members. It is known for its opposition to military aid to Ukraine, the EU’s migration policies, and the Green Deal.
One of the AfD members involved in the ESN draft, Stefan Keuter, previously visited occupied Abkhazia in 2019 as an “election observer” and is also a member of the League of Friends of Crimea, an organization promoting Russian interests. The AfD, while officially distancing itself from Nazi ideology, has been repeatedly accused of harboring Nazi sentiments, with one of its leaders, Björn Höcke, even fined for using banned Nazi slogans.
As part of ongoing debates over democratic backsliding in Georgia, the ESN attempted to pass a resolution in October 2023 supporting Georgian Dream, but it failed to gain traction within the European Parliament.
Now, following an endorsement of the AfD by billionaire Elon Musk—who heads the Department of Government Efficiency in the new US administration—Georgian Dream is attempting to frame support from far-right Eurosceptics as backing from a US ally.
The ESN draft resolution asserts that the October 26, 2024, parliamentary elections in Georgia were conducted in full compliance with national and international standards and that the people made a “clear and democratic choice.” In contrast, the main resolution being voted on in the European Parliament does not recognize the legitimacy of these elections.
Additionally, the ESN draft claims that Georgian Dream is still committed to EU integration while respecting “national sovereignty and democratic processes.” It accuses the EU of interfering in Georgia’s internal affairs, refusing to recognize the election results, and supporting opposition movements, which, according to the text, “undermines trust and the EU’s credibility in the region.”
The ESN resolution also criticizes the EU’s consideration of sanctions against Georgia, calling it an “unjustified punitive approach” that alienates a strategic partner.
