The European Parliament adopted a resolution on Thursday regarding the political crisis in Georgia with 400 votes in favour, 63 against and 81 abstentions. The resolution called for sanctions against former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili, his associates, government officials and media figures linked to the ruling Georgian Dream party, while urging the EU to withhold recognition of the current government and call for new elections.
The resolution condemned the democratic backsliding following the flawed elections on 26 October 2024 and claimed that the Georgian parliament and presidency lack legitimacy. MEPs called for new elections under international observation and stressed that future EU engagement should be conditional on this.
Support for President Salome Zurabishvili as the legitimate leader of Georgia was reaffirmed by the resolution. The EP praised her efforts to restore democratic governance and called for her participation in the European Political Community Summit.
The resolution also called for a review of Georgia's visa-free travel status with the EU, the reallocation of €120 million in frozen aid to civil society and independent media, and the release of former President Mikheil Saakashvili for medical treatment abroad.
