BERLIN — The foreign ministers from Germany, France, and Poland, during a meeting on Tuesday, voiced their worries regarding the worsening political situation in Georgia. Their statements came just two days after Mikheil Kavelashvili, a former soccer player, took office as president, which many in the opposition perceive as a reinforcement of the ruling party’s dominance. They argue this development poses a setback for Georgia’s aspirations to join the European Union and serves as a triumph for Russia, the country’s historical overlord.
In a collective statement, the three ministers condemned the violence that occurred against peaceful protesters, journalists, and opposition figures the prior week. They reminded Georgian authorities of their responsibility to uphold human rights and safeguard essential freedoms, which encompass both the right to assemble and the freedom of the press.
In response to the Georgia Dream party’s pro-Russia stance, the nations asserted their intent to “enforce the EU’s decision regarding the cessation of visa-free travel for holders of Georgian diplomatic and service passports,” along with contemplating both EU and national-level actions. They underscored that the ruling party’s trajectory towards repression and democratic decline has triggered a deterioration in their bilateral relations, resulting in reduced support and collaboration with Georgia’s government.
During the recent elections on October 26, the Georgian Dream party successfully maintained its majority in Parliament, an outcome that the opposition claims was manipulated with the assistance of Moscow. The party maintains that it continues to strive for European Union membership while also seeking to re-establish relations with Russia. The outgoing president and leading pro-Western factions have boycotted parliamentary sessions following the election, calling for a repeat of the vote.
Critics accuse the Georgian Dream party, founded by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, of adopting increasingly authoritarian tendencies and shifting its alignment towards Moscow. Such allegations have been firmly rejected by the ruling party. They have recently enacted laws reminiscent of those utilized by the Kremlin to restrict free expression and diminish LGBTQ+ rights.
The ruling party’s decision last month to halt discussions about Georgia’s EU accession further infuriated the opposition and has sparked significant protests. In their joint statement, Germany, France, and Poland reiterated their commitment to supporting the democratic and European ambitions of the Georgian populace.
For weeks now, thousands of protesters have gathered at the parliament building nightly, following the government’s announcement on November 28 regarding the suspension of EU accession discussions. Riot police have routinely deployed water cannons and tear gas to disperse crowds, leading to multiple confrontations where dozens of demonstrators were injured and hundreds arrested. Among the injured were several journalists, who reported being assaulted by police. These journalists claimed that authorities employed thugs to intimidate citizens from attending anti-government protests, a description that the Georgian Dream party has strongly contested. This heavy-handed response has faced sharp rebukes from both U.S. and EU representatives.
