Georgian opposition leaders urge swift passage of MEGOBARI Act in US Senate

Tina Bokuchava, Chairwoman of the Unity - National Movement (UNM), and Petre Tsiskarishvili, the party’s Secretary General, have met with US Senator Roger Wicker in Washington, urging the Senate to expedite the finalization of the MEGOBARI Act.

The bill, which was recently approved by the US House of Representatives in a bipartisan vote, “aims to bolster US support for Georgian democracy” and proposes sanctions on the country’s officials “undermining democracy.”

Senator Wicker, who serves as Co-Chair of the US Helsinki Commission, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and a Member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, discussed the legislative process and the broader US-Georgia partnership with the visiting UNM delegation.

Bokuchava and Tsiskarishvili emphasized concerns over the temporary suspension of the US-Georgia strategic partnership, asserting that restoring democracy in Georgia was essential to fully revive bilateral relations. Both sides expressed hope that close cooperation between the two nations would resume as soon as democratic principles were reestablished in Georgia.

The UNM leaders also highlighted what they described as a concerning tactic by Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder and honorary chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party, who they alleged was using state resources to hire lobbyists abroad. They claimed this effort aimed to manipulate foreign influence in Georgia’s favor, reflecting the ruling party’s isolation and weakening position.

The delegation invited Senator Wicker to visit Georgia, emphasizing the importance of continued US support for Georgian citizens who they saw “remained steadfast in their fight against authoritarianism.”

"The meeting once again demonstrated that Georgia enjoys strong bipartisan support in the United States," said Bokuchava. "We are committed to restoring democracy and building a strategic partnership based on shared values."

The UNM delegation's visit to Washington is ongoing, with scheduled meetings on Capitol Hill and at leading US think tanks, according to a statement from the party’s press service.