Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze of Georgia has announced that the country will suspend talks on EU accession for four years after the European Parliament rejected the results of the country’s parliamentary elections. The resolution called for new elections to be held within a year under international supervision and for sanctions to be imposed on top Georgian officials, including Kobakhidze. Kobakhidze accused Brussels of “blackmail” and stated that Georgia will not bring up the issue of joining the EU until the end of 2028. Despite this, he pledged to continue implementing necessary reforms to prepare for eventual EU membership in 2030.
The European Parliament cited “significant irregularities” in Georgia’s October election, which saw the ruling Georgian Dream bloc claim victory amid allegations of fraud and manipulation. Opposition parties boycotted the election, calling it a sham. The resolution urged Georgia to hold new elections and criticized the Georgian Dream party for failing to ensure a free and fair electoral process.
Opposition lawmakers in Georgia’s parliament have begun boycotting sessions in response to the election results and are seeking to annul them through the Constitutional Court. Pro-Western President Salome Zurabishvili has declared the election “unconstitutional.” A group of election monitors has also alleged a widespread scheme of electoral fraud benefiting Georgian Dream, although the party denies these claims.
Overall, the relationship between Georgia and the EU has soured in recent months due to concerns over democratic backsliding and human rights issues in the country. The EU has previously frozen Georgia’s accession process and criticized the ruling party for passing authoritarian laws and repressing opposition voices.
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