EU Raises Alarms Over Georgia's Threat to Ban Opposition Parties
By Liza Mchedlidze
Thursday, August 29, 2024
The European Union has expressed deep concerns about recent statements from Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and other officials regarding plans to ban all opposition parties in the country. According to Rikard Jozwiak, the Europe editor for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), the EU stressed the importance of upholding democratic principles, specifically political pluralism, which it described as a "key part" of any healthy democracy.
In its statement, the EU highlighted that "a healthy democracy thrives on diversity," pointing to the essential roles of opposition parties, a vibrant civil society, and independent media in ensuring that governments remain accountable and democratic values are upheld. The EU warned that it has "all options on the table" to respond to any anti-democratic actions by Georgia's government, indicating a readiness to take significant measures if necessary.
The EU is set to closely monitor Georgia's upcoming parliamentary elections, scheduled for October 26. The conduct of these elections is seen as critical, given that stable and consolidated democratic institutions are a central pillar of the EU accession process. However, due to recent actions by the Georgian government, including the adoption of a controversial Russian-style Foreign Agents Law and increasingly anti-democratic rhetoric, the EU has decided to halt Georgia's EU accession process. As it stands, there is little prospect that the forthcoming annual enlargement report, expected this fall, will recommend opening accession talks with Georgia.
EU Foreign Policy spokesperson Peter Stano, in a statement to American news outlet POLITICO, reinforced the EU's stance, warning that the Georgian government's current trajectory "jeopardizes Georgia's EU path, de facto leading to a halt of the accession process." Stano emphasized that while the EU is closely observing developments in Georgia, it remains prepared to react "in an appropriate manner" should the government move forward with plans to ban opposition parties, adding, "All options are on the table and we would act accordingly."
Despite these warnings, Stano noted that the EU's door to membership for Georgia "remains open, should Georgia choose to realign with EU values and norms and reverse the negative tendencies of the last months."
The ruling Georgian Dream party is seeking to secure a constitutional majority in the upcoming parliamentary elections, with the stated intention of banning opposition parties, which it collectively refers to as the "collective UNM" (United National Movement). The party has branded opposition groups as "criminal political forces," blamed them for the 2008 war with Russia, and vowed to initiate a "Nuremberg-style" criminal court after the elections, which would ultimately lead to the outlawing of these parties.
