ALDE party adopts resolution slaming 'democratic backsliding' in Georgia

At its Council meeting held in Helsinki on June 28, the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) Party adopted a resolution titled “Democracy Under Siege: A Call to Defend Georgia’s European Path”, reaffirming strong support for the Georgian people’s pro-European aspirations and condemning the Georgian Dream government for 'undermining democratic norms.'

The resolution highlights what it calls a significant democratic regression in Georgia, accusing the ruling Georgian Dream party of orchestrating the fraudulent 2024 parliamentary elections, passing anti-democratic legislation, violating human rights, and derailing the country’s EU integration process.

ALDE places full responsibility for the deterioration of democratic institutions and the political climate on Georgian Dream, citing the adoption of repressive laws such as the Foreign Agents Law and the “Successor Parties” legislation, which targets opposition parties and effectively bars them from electoral participation.

The resolution also denounces the recent 'politically motivated' imprisonment of several opposition leaders affiliated with ALDE member parties, including Zurab Girchi Japaridze (Girchi - More Freedom), Giorgi Vashadze (Strategy Aghmashenebeli), Badri Japaridze and Mamuka Khazaradze (Lelo), Nika Melia, and Givi Targamadze. Each was sentenced to more than seven months in prison and banned from holding public office for two years. It also condemns the continued detention of opposition figures Nika Gvaramia and Irakli Okruashvili, as well as the prosecution of over 60 civil society activists.

The resolution calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners, including opposition leaders, journalists, and peaceful protesters. It demands that Georgia hold new, free, and fair parliamentary elections by the end of 2025 under an impartial election administration, and that all anti-democratic laws restricting freedom of expression, association, and media be revoked.

ALDE also urges the European Union and its member states to impose targeted sanctions, visa restrictions, and financial measures against individuals associated with Bidzina Ivanishvili, including Georgian Dream officials, propagandists, prosecutors, police, and corrupt judges. Until these demands are met, the resolution advises that representatives of ALDE member parties and EU liberal allies refrain from engaging with Georgian Dream representatives, except to raise concerns over human rights and democratic backsliding without conferring legitimacy.