Official announcements from the Georgian government and international election monitoring bodies

Georgia Halts EU Talks Until 2028 After EU Parliament Rejects Elections; Protests Emerge

Nov 28, 2024, 02:46 PM

Georgia has announced it will suspend negotiations on European Union membership until the end of 2028 and decline any EU budget grants during this period, following a critical resolution by the European Parliament. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze stated the decision in response to the European Parliament's non-binding resolution, which overwhelmingly passed with 444 votes in favor, 72 against, and 82 abstentions. The resolution rejected the results of Georgia's October 26 parliamentary elections, deeming them "neither free nor fair" and citing significant irregularities, including voter intimidation and vote-buying. It called for new elections to be held within a year under international supervision and urged personal sanctions against Georgian government officials, including Bidzina Ivanishvili, Irakli Kobakhidze, Kakha Kaladze, Irakli Gharibashvili, Shalva Papuashvili, and certain judges. The government's decision has sparked nationwide protests, with demonstrators gathering outside the ruling Georgian Dream party headquarters, the Parliament building, and the President's administration in Tbilisi, as well as in other cities like Kutaisi. President Salome Zourabichvili has scheduled an emergency meeting with diplomats to address the unfolding situation.