ALDE Party Calls for Democratic Reforms and Sanctions in Georgia for EU Integration
By Liza Mchedlidze
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
At its Congress in Estoril, Portugal, from October 4-6, 2024, the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) adopted a resolution titled "Essential Fair Election Standards and Democratic Reforms in Georgia for EU Integration." The resolution emphasized the importance of free and fair elections in October 2024 as a prerequisite for Georgia's EU candidate status and highlighted the need for reforms aligned with the EU Commission's nine recommendations.
Key points of the resolution included the condemnation of Georgia's "foreign agents" law (referred to as the "Russian law"), which the ALDE Party views as obstructive to the country's EU integration efforts. The resolution also called for the repeal of this law and stressed the incompatibility of Georgia's proposed anti-LGBT legislation with European values and human rights. Additionally, it expressed strong support for Georgian civil society and independent media, which have been the primary targets of the restrictive legislation.
ALDE voiced its backing of the Georgian people's aspirations to join the EU and supported increased financial assistance to aid Georgia's democratic and economic development. The resolution also aligned with the reforms outlined in President Salome Zourabichvili's Georgian Charter, which seeks to open EU membership negotiations.
The Party expressed regret over ongoing political persecution, including the prosecution of activists opposing the "Russian law," and the failure of the ruling Georgian Dream party to meet the EU's conditions for candidacy status. It condemned the widespread use of intimidation tactics, such as threats and violence against opposition leaders and activists.
The resolution called on the EU Commission to firmly oppose election rigging and violence in Georgia, and urged the imposition of personal sanctions on Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili and his family for steering the country toward authoritarianism. It also demanded the cessation of political prosecutions, the release of political prisoners including ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili, and the annulment of penalties against activists.
The Party further requested the immediate start of EU accession negotiations following the elections if a new democratic government commits to the necessary reforms. ALDE also called for enhanced election monitoring and urged the EU to duplicate sanctions imposed by the US on those responsible for anti-democratic practices in Georgia. Lastly, it recommended that the EU refrain from high-level contacts with the current Georgian Dream government until significant reforms are made.
