European Parliament Calls for Sanctions Against Georgian Dream Leaders

The European Parliament adopted a resolution on October 8 condemning the ruling Georgian Dream party for efforts to ban opposition political associations in Georgia. With 445 votes in favor, the resolution demands the withdrawal of constitutional lawsuits against groups including the United National Movement and Coalition for Change, characterizing the legal actions as an attempt to establish a one-party system similar to those in Russia and Belarus.

The resolution calls for the release of political prisoners, such as Mikheil Saakashvili and Nika Melia, and criticizes the closure of the Friedrich Naumann and Konrad Adenauer foundations' offices in Tbilisi. It specifically urges the European Union and its member states to impose targeted sanctions and visa bans against Bidzina Ivanishvili, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, and Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze.

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze responded on October 9 by dismissing the resolution and claiming the views of European lawmakers are of no interest to Georgian society. He asserted that the European Parliament and its bureaucracy are experiencing a serious crisis, comparing the institution to the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union during its final years.