Changes from plenary report to adopted text

RemovedEXPLANATORY STATEMENT

RemovedThis is the first report on Georgia as an EU candidate country, taking into account the 2023 and 2024 Commission reports on Georgia. It also addresses the significant deterioration of the situation in the country since the publication of the 2024 Commission report and builds on the European Parliament’s positions expressed in its recent resolutions on Georgia.

RemovedThe report focuses the European Parliament’s main concerns regarding the state of democracy, rule of law and European integration of Georgia.

RemovedRegrettably, there has been a continuous democratic backsliding in Georgia, which intensified since the rigged parliamentary elections on 26 October 2024. Georgian authorities announced the suspension of European integration until 2028, prompting country-wide mass protests, which were met with brutal violence and adoption of restrictive legislation.

RemovedThe country finds itself in a political and constitutional crisis, which further fuels the long-standing political polarisation. Georgian authorities continue to spread manipulative narratives and disinformation about the EU and the European integration. The civil society, political opposition and independent media continue to face threats, intimidation and assaults as well as an increasingly restrictive environment for their activities. Mass protests have been continuing uninterrupted since 28 November 2024, demanding new transparent democratic elections, accountability for human rights violations, and the return to the pro-European path.

RemovedThe report highlights the EU role and responsibility to support the Georgian society and its legitimate constitutional pro-European aspirations. The EU and its Member States must urgently recalibrate their relationship with Georgia’s self-appointed regime and take concrete measures in support of the civil society and the media, including by implementing coordinated bilateral sanctions, refraining from recognising the illegitimate authorities, substantially increasing financial support to the non-governmental sector and the independent media, and mediating the way forward to new elections.

RemovedThe report reiterates the Parliament’s position that in order to overcome the current crisis, new parliamentary elections need to be held in an improved electoral environment, overseen by an independent and impartial election administration and monitored through diligent international observation to guarantee a genuinely fair, free and transparent process.