Key Points

• The decision of Georgian Dream led by Irakli Kobakhidze to halt the process of EU accession until at least 2028 is a frontal attack on the European aspirations of the people of Georgia.
• The passing of the so-called “foreign agents law”, which severely harms Georgian civil society action, and the fraudulent parliamentary election of October this year, prove the need for decisive action to restore full democratic freedoms in Georgia.
• JEF Europe and JEF Georgia demand an end to violence against protestors and the liberation of those detained, a new parliamentary election in Georgia, and the continuation of Georgia’s EU accession process. 

In the past few years, the situation with the rule of law and democracy in Georgia has taken a dark turn. With the passing of Russian-inspired legislation such as the so-called “foreign agents law” -officially known as the Law on Transparency and Foreign Influence- last May and the “LGBT propaganda law” soon thereafter, the deterioration of Georgian democracy has accelerated with a climactic low point being reached with the parliamentary election that took place last October. In that election, the ruling Georgian Dream party secured a majority in a process marred by measures destined at hampering the exercise of the right to vote for Georgians living abroad, as well as fraud and irregularities as reported by, among others, the European Parliament’s election observation mission.

To add more insult to injury, the government has further confirmed their antidemocratic turn by announcing the suspension of the country’s EU accession bid “until 2028”, which goes not only against the Georgian Constitution but against the will of the people of Georgia who have consistently and publicly shown their strong support for the European integration of the country. This antidemocratic, pro-russian turn of the government has taken massive numbers of citizens to protest in the streets, where their demands have been met with gruesome police violence and further repression.

“Georgian Dream has shown that their vision, which includes democratic backsliding and an ever growing list of restrictions on society, is more of a nightmare than a dream. As federalists we cannot stand aside while the pro-European hopes and aspirations of the Georgian people are being smashed by the police in the streets” says Xesc Mainzer, Vice President of the Young European Federalists (JEF Europe).  

“The Georgian Dream government has betrayed the European aspirations of its people, turning instead toward authoritarianism and isolation. Yet, the spirit of Georgia remains unbroken. JEF Georgia stands unwaveringly with the brave youth and citizens who risk everything to defend democracy, freedom, and Georgia’s rightful place in the European family. Being Georgian is synonymous with being European—a truth etched into our history and identity,” declares Konstantine Gagnidze, President of JEF Georgia.

We are certain that this struggle will not be in vain. We will prevail, because justice, freedom, and the hopes of generations are on our side. We stand on the right side of history, and history always vindicates those who fight for what is just” says Konstantine Gagnidze, President of JEF Georgia.

As activists for democracy, European values and federalism, we cannot stay silent while the Georgian people fight for their rights, for democracy and for the future which is promised to them in the Georgian Constitution. 

JEF Europe and JEF Georgia therefore demand Georgian Dream and their government:

• to immediately halt all police violence on protesters and release all those that have been arrested; 
• to initiate hearings in the Constitutional Court on President Zourabichvili’s lawsuit regarding violations committed in the voting during the parliamentary election;
• to end censorship and repression in the educational system and higher-education institutions;
• to renew the country’s commitment to pursue negotiations for accession to the European Union; and 
• to call for a new parliamentary election to be celebrated under free and fair conditions so that a new legislature that accurately reflects the desires of the people of Georgia can be elected. 

We also call on the European Union and its Member States to exert the highest pressure on the Georgian government so that violence on protestors ends and a democracy based on inclusion, freedom of speech and assembly and the rule of law can return to Georgia. Once Georgia is again on the right path, the EU should promote efficiency and fair progress on the accession negotiations.

About JEF Europe

The Young European Federalists (JEF Europe) is a political youth NGO advocating for the creation of a democratic European federation as a guarantee for peace, the rule of law and human rights. JEF Europe promotes true European citizenship, works for the widening and deepening of the European Union and strives for a more just and integrated society on the European continent. Established in 1972, the organization has more than 10,000 activists organized in over 300 national, regional and local sections in 37 countries. 

About JEF Georgia

JEF Georgia is a youth NGO and the candidate section of JEF Europe in Georgia. 

Read more

• Future of the Eastern Partnership: a new European strategy for the East – JEF Europe resolution
• 18.5.2024 | Protecting civil society and civic spaces in Georgia – European Youth Forum (YFJ) motion on rule of law in Georgia submitted by JEF Europe

Contact information

Xesc Mainzer, Vice President

xesc.mainzer@jef.eu

Young European Federalists
Rue des Deux Églises 14
1000 Brussels