TI Georgia head: US sanctions bill should be wake-up call for Georgia’s ruling party

Eka Gigauri, Executive Director of Transparency International Georgia, on Friday said that a proposed US bill targeting individuals accused of undermining Georgia’s democracy should serve as a wake-up call for the country’s ruling party.

Her remarks come as the US Senate prepares to review the MEGOBARI Act, a bill that could impose sanctions on those seen as obstructing Georgia’s democratic progress and European integration.

“The very fact that this act is being considered indicates that Georgia is paying attention, and, of course, this should be a thought-provoking move for the ruling party,” Gigauri said.

She emphasized that bipartisan support for democracy in Georgia has long existed in Washington and that the introduction of targeted sanctions “signals growing international concern over the country’s political direction”.

“Obviously, the fact that we are talking about sanctioning specific individuals – people who undermine Georgia’s European future and democracy – indicates that they see taking such tough measures as important,” she added.

The MEGOBARI Act is expected to be considered by the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee early next week, according to Washington-based journalist Alex Raufoglou.