ALDE Calls for Targeted EU Sanctions Over Repression in Georgia
By Messenger Staff
Monday, October 5, 2026
The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) has called on the European Union to impose targeted sanctions on those responsible for repression and the systematic undermining of democracy and fundamental freedoms in Georgia.
ALDE President Svenja Hahn and European Liberal Forum President Jan-Christoph Oetjen addressed the appeal to EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas and European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos.
"We are writing regarding the rapidly deteriorating democratic situation in Georgia, and particularly the forced decision of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) to close its office in Tbilisi after more than two decades of work in the country," they said.
FNF was forced to end its operations in Georgia after Georgian authorities rejected its grant application. According to ALDE, the authorities made clear that FNF's activities would only be permitted if they were aligned with government priorities. Under those conditions, FNF concluded that it could no longer carry out its mission as an independent political foundation.
"This is another clear example of the growing restrictions on independent civil society and the wider repression of protesters, opposition figures, journalists and independent voices," the letter said.
ALDE noted that FNF has been an important partner for democratic forces in Georgia since 2002, supporting political education, democratic participation, the rule of law, European integration and an open civil society.
"These developments demonstrate how far the Georgian Dream regime is moving away from the standards expected of an EU candidate country and send a worrying signal to all those with European aspirations," ALDE said. "What is happening in Georgia matters not only to its citizens, but also to the credibility of the EU's enlargement policy and its commitment to democracy and fundamental rights."
The organization said ALDE and its partner organizations, including the European Liberal Forum, had consistently raised concerns about what they described as democratic backsliding.
"We therefore reiterate our call on the European Union to respond with targeted sanctions against those responsible for the repression and systematic undermining of democracy and fundamental freedoms in Georgia," the letter said.
"The EU's political leadership is essential to prevent further deterioration and to demonstrate that such actions have consequences. The EU must ensure that those defending democracy and fundamental freedoms are not left without support," it added.
Georgian Dream Tbilisi Mayor and party's Secretary-General Kakha Kaladze rejected the call for sanctions, saying any new EU measures would have no effect.
"The new package of sanctions will have zero effect! It's worthless, as you know, isn't it?" Kaladze said.
He said the Georgian Dream government would continue pursuing a policy that "first and foremost protects the interests of the Georgian people and our country."
Kaladze also argued that sanctions reflected what he called an "unfair attitude" toward specific countries and governments aimed at bringing the sanctions' proponents' "own agents to power" in those countries.
"Believe me, they have zero chance. It cannot have any effect whatsoever. What matters to us is to pursue a policy that first and foremost protects the interests of the Georgian people and our country - that is what matters," Kaladze said.
