MEP Lexmann calls for “targeted sanctions” on Ivanishvili

It is important to impose targeted sanctions on the founder of the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party, oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili for his “destructive role” in Georgian politics and economy,” MEP Miriam Lexmann said on Wednesday during the debates on Georgia in the European Parliament.

She suggested that imposing the sanctions on Ivanishvili, who is dubbed as an “informal ruler” of the country by the opposition, would increase the support for Georgia’s European integration, amid the country’s recent bid for membership to the bloc.

Lexmann stated that  media freedom in the country had been “severely weakened” in recent years, which was “part of a setback to democracy.”

“I believe that this setback contradicts the desire of the Georgian people to live in a free, democratic and sovereign Georgia, as well as their European aspirations,” she said.

She suggested that the “friends of Georgia” were worried by the “backsliding” as it contradicted the Georgian people’s European aspirations.