European Parliament Calls for Sanctions on Ivanishvili, Condemns Georgian Dream's 'Anti-European Course'
By Messenger Staff
Thursday, June 18, 2026
The European Parliament adopted a resolution on Georgia on June 17, calling on the EU and its member states to impose targeted personal sanctions on Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili and other senior party figures, declaring it does not recognize the legitimacy of the country's disputed parliament or the president appointed by it.
The resolution, prepared by Lithuanian MEP Rasa Jukneviciene of the European People's Party, was adopted with 436 votes in favor, 145 against, and 47 abstentions. It had been debated in February and cleared the Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs in May before reaching a final vote.
The text states that the situation in Georgia "has continued to deteriorate dramatically," pointing to what it describes as "further backsliding in democracy, human rights, and rule of law" under Georgian Dream, and saying the ruling party's "methods of repression, disinformation campaigns, and political harassment mirror Russian hybrid tactics."
The resolution expresses "deep disappointment" that Georgian Dream has not only suspended but effectively reversed Georgia's course of European integration, and notes that no progress has been made on any of the nine priority conditions under which Georgia was granted EU candidate status.
MEPs also condemned what they called the "inconsistency" of a government that claims EU integration as its main goal while its officials and affiliated media run what the resolution describes as "an orchestrated and systematic campaign spreading manipulative Russian-style narratives, disinformation and conspiracy theories against the EU, its officials and diplomats."
The document calls for targeted personal sanctions against Ivanishvili, party leaders, judges, prosecutors, and other officials responsible for "the continuous democratic backsliding in Georgia, electoral fraud, human rights violations, and the persecution of political opponents and activists." It also urges the European Council to adopt EU-wide asset freezes and visa bans, and calls on Hungary to lift its veto blocking the existing sanctions designation against Ivanishvili.
Beyond political figures, the resolution calls for restrictive measures against the leadership of Georgia's National Communications Commission and the Georgian Public Broadcaster.
The document names Imedi TV, PosTV, and Rustavi 2 as Georgian Dream-aligned outlets responsible for "systematic disinformation, smear campaigns, and hostile propaganda against the EU and its institutions and representatives." It calls on EU institutions to follow the United Kingdom's lead, which has already sanctioned two of those outlets, and to adopt proportionate measures "against individuals and entities responsible for orchestrating and financing these disinformation campaigns, including under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions regime." MEPs also called for a review of those outlets' EU accreditation.
The resolution reiterates that the October 2024 parliamentary elections were "rigged" and notes that the 2025 municipal elections were largely boycotted by opposition parties, which it says reflects "the deep mistrust that the majority of the society has in the independence of the electoral process." It also expresses concern over amendments to Georgia's Electoral Code adopted by the disputed parliament.
The text condemns a series of laws it says are designed to stifle civil society and independent media, including FARA, the Broadcasting Law, the Law on Public Service, and amendments to the law on assemblies, calling on the authorities to repeal them as a condition for re-engagement. It also condemns a new provision in the Criminal Code that prohibits "public and systematic" criticism of the authorities or questioning their legitimacy.
The resolution demands the immediate release of all political prisoners and other illegally detained persons. It singles out opposition figure Elene Khoshtaria, condemning "the degrading and inhuman treatment reportedly inflicted on her during her detention." It also expresses concern over the sustained use of administrative detention against protesters and activists, citing findings from the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture.
On LGBTQ+ rights, the document expresses "deep concern over the systematic violation of human rights in Georgia and discrimination against vulnerable groups, including LGBTIQ+ persons," and calls on the disputed parliament to rescind the Law on Family Values and the Protection of Minors, which it says violates the rights to equality, non-discrimination, education, health, and freedom of expression.
The resolution notes that Georgia's alignment with EU foreign policy positions dropped from 53 percent in 2024 to 40 percent, and criticizes Tbilisi for failing to align with most EU sanctions against Russia, Belarus, and Iran. It also calls on Georgian authorities to prevent the country's territory and legal entities from being used to circumvent EU restrictive measures.
The document says Georgian Dream "is making a strategic turn towards cooperation with China, Russia and Iran," and raises specific concerns about the involvement of Chinese state-owned enterprises in strategic infrastructure projects, including the Anaklia Deep Sea Port, as well as what it describes as Iran's growing economic footprint in Georgia.
The resolution also warns about the use of the Georgian Orthodox Church's networks by Russia "as channels for disinformation and influence operations," and reiterates its condemnation of Russia's continued occupation of the Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions.
An amendment submitted by the European Conservatives and Reformists group, adopted alongside the main resolution, notes that insufficient public awareness of the Soviet occupation enables "historical manipulation and disinformation campaigns, which the Russian Federation exploits to undermine the Euro-Atlantic aspirations of Georgian society." Amendments from the Europe of Sovereign Nations group opposing sanctions on Georgian individuals as "unjustified foreign interference" were rejected.
