Prepared by Messenger Staff
ALDE Calls for Tougher EU Sanctions Over Georgian Dream's Bid to Ban Opposition Parties
The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) has called on the European Union to impose tougher sanctions on those responsible for Georgian Dream's efforts to ban five opposition parties.
"Georgian Dream is taking its authoritarian crackdown even further!" the group said in a statement, warning that the proceedings could strip hundreds of thousands of Georgian voters of political representation, including supporters of ALDE-affiliated parties.
"After targeting protesters, civil society and independent media, Georgian Dream is now going after political opposition itself," the statement reads.
ALDE urged the EU to respond with stronger measures, adding: "We stand with the Georgian people fighting for freedom and a European future."
Giorgi Zurabashvili Appointed Georgia's Special Representative for Relations with Russia
Georgian Dream First Deputy Foreign Minister Giorgi Zurabashvili has been appointed the Prime Minister's Special Representative for Relations with Russia while retaining his current position, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced on October 21. The post had been vacant since December 2025.
Kobakhidze said the appointment does not signal a change in the government's policy toward Moscow. He identified peaceful conflict resolution, maintaining trade and economic ties, and continued dialogue on humanitarian issues as Georgia's priorities, while noting that restoring diplomatic relations remains impossible under current circumstances.
Zurabashvili, a career diplomat who became First Deputy Foreign Minister in July 2025, replaces Giorgi Kajaia, who held the position from March 2024 until December 2025. The post was established in 2012 to facilitate direct dialogue between Tbilisi and Moscow on trade, economic, humanitarian and cultural matters.
Diplomatic relations between Georgia and Russia remain severed following the 2008 war, Russia's continued occupation of Georgian territories and its recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states. Kobakhidze did not clarify whether Zurabashvili's mandate would be expanded to include conflict resolution.
Zurabashvili thanked Kobakhidze for his trust and pledged to carry out the responsibilities of the post.
