democratic reforms

The European Union (EU) leaders have effectively announced a suspension of Georgia’s accession process to the EU during a summit in Brussels. This significant decision was confirmed in the final document of the European Council meeting.

In the document, the European Council reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting the Georgian people on their path towards European integration. However, it expressed serious concerns about the current policies of the Georgian government, which it says contradict the values and principles upon which the EU is founded.

“The European Council reiterates its concern over the actions of the Georgian government, which are in conflict with the fundamental values and principles of the European Union,” the document emphasised.

These actions, according to the European Council, have placed Georgia’s European path at risk, effectively halting the process of the country’s potential EU membership. The EU leaders have called on Georgia to implement democratic, inclusive, and sustainable reforms in line with the core principles of European integration. The Council stated it would continue to closely monitor the situation.

The EU also expressed its expectation that the upcoming parliamentary elections in Georgia, scheduled for 26 October, would be free and fair, with unimpeded access for both international and national election observers.

Furthermore, the European Council underscored its commitment to Georgia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty within its internationally recognised borders, reiterating support for Georgia amidst ongoing regional tensions.

Growing Tensions with the West

This development comes amid increasing friction between Georgia and its Western partners. In recent months, the ruling Georgian Dream party has implemented several measures that have drawn sharp criticism from the West, including the introduction of a controversial “foreign agents” law and the banning of what the government describes as “LGBT propaganda.”

Against this backdrop, the European Union has frozen relations with Tbilisi. The EU’s ambassador to Georgia, Pavel Herczynski, went as far as to state that under the current Georgian Dream leadership, the country would never become a member of the European Union.

The upcoming elections have intensified political tensions in Georgia, pitting the ruling party against a fragmented pro-Western opposition. International partners are closely watching the electoral process, with many concerned that the outcome will have far-reaching implications for Georgia’s future, both domestically and in terms of its foreign relations.

The situation has led some analysts to warn of the possibility of unrest in the aftermath of the elections, with mass protests already being predicted by certain opposition groups. Street confrontations and political instability could potentially further distance Georgia from its European aspirations, deepening the internal political divide and exacerbating tensions with the West.

Georgia’s Struggle for European Integration

Georgia’s pursuit of EU membership has been a central issue in its domestic politics for years, with both the government and large segments of the population voicing a desire for deeper integration with Europe. However, recent actions by the Georgian government have led many to question whether the country is genuinely committed to the reforms and democratic principles required for EU accession.

The Georgian Dream government has faced criticism for backsliding on democratic reforms, with concerns raised over media freedom, judicial independence, and the treatment of opposition figures. The government’s ties with Russia, and its reluctance to fully distance itself from Moscow, have also complicated Georgia’s relations with the EU and the United States.

In March 2023, large protests erupted in Tbilisi after the government introduced the controversial “foreign agents” law, which was widely seen as an attempt to curtail civil society and media freedoms. The law, modelled on similar legislation in Russia, required organisations receiving foreign funding to register as “foreign agents.”

The ruling party’s stance on LGBTQ+ rights has also been a point of contention. A law banning what the government calls “LGBT propaganda” has been criticised by human rights groups and Western governments as a violation of freedom of expression and an attempt to stigmatise the LGBTQ+ community.