ʰšŧŧ. – Nākamais darba kārtības punkts ir debates par Komisijas paziņojumu par politiskās situācijas turpmāku pasliktināšanos Gruzijā ().
Magnus Brunner, Member of the Commission. – MrPresident, honourable Members, for more than 50 days now, Georgians have been taking to the streets across the country in unprecedented protests, fighting for the democratic future of their country as part of the European family and for exercising also their fundamental rights. They have been met with violent repression, with intimidation and also with detentions.
Georgia's progressive democratic decline is actually very much alarming. The authorities have recently enacted a number of amendments to various laws, further restricting fundamental rights and undermining also democratic governance. The violence and hate language against peaceful protesters, against politicians and media representatives, the reported dismissal of public servants for political reasons, as well as the threats made against Salome Zourabichvili, are completely unacceptable. Many detainees remain in custody and face potential prison sentences for criminal charges.
Yet, to this day, not a single representative of the law enforcement agencies has been charged, despite the violent crackdown of protests and despite serious accusations of torture of detained protesters levelled by the Georgian ombudsperson. Such actions are not compatible with the status of a European Union candidate.
The EU keeps standing in solidarity with the Georgian people, and we urge the authorities to take swift action to de-escalate the tensions. Those unjustly detained must be released, acts of violence investigated and there must be consequences for the law enforcement officials involved in these illegal actions. We also urge the authorities to implement recommendations outlined in the final OSCE report on the recent elections, and explore all options to restore trust in Georgia's democratic institutions, always, of course, in dialogue with all political forces and representatives of civil society, including the call by the Georgian society to consider the possibility on new elections.
Honourable Members, last year, the European Union adopted a number of measures to react to Georgia's continuous democratic decline. We downgraded political contexts and halted our assistance to the authorities. EUR30 million under the European Peace Facility and more than EUR121 million in direct assistance to the government. And at the same time, we continue to stand with the civil society organisations and independent media. EUR8.5 million have already been reallocated to them, and we are also ready to reallocate additional funds to communication activities as we need to step up our response to disinformation.
The European Council decided to de facto halt Georgia's accession process. In December 2024, the leaders reiterated EU serious concerns regarding the course of action by the Georgian Government and its decision to to suspend the country's EU accession process until 2028. The European Council underlined its readiness to support the Georgian people's European aspirations and Georgia's path accession, should the Georgian authorities reverse their course of action. Regrettably, the authorities have not reversed course of action.
At the December Foreign Affairs Council, Member States broadly agreed to start the process of halting the visa-free regime for Georgian diplomatic and service passport holders. The Commission swiftly prepared the proposal, still in December last year, and the respective Council decision should be adopted by the end of January. This decision will send a clear political message that we are holding the authorities into account.Last year, the Foreign Affairs Council also held the first discussion on the adoption of sanctions against the individuals responsible for the disproportionate use of force against protesters.
At the upcoming Foreign Affairs Council on 27January, the Member States' discussions on Georgia will continue. We have also closely followed the discussions in this House and the resolutions passed with the overwhelming majority. We remain open to consider further measures in light of the developments in Georgia.
Rasa Juknevičienė, on behalf of the PPE Group. – Mr President, dear colleagues, the brave Georgians have been protesting against their stolen European future for more than 50days, despite the brutality and violence of the Georgian Dream authorities. By the way, people in the streets call them the 'Kremlin Dream' or 'Russian Dream' party.
As Georgians fight for their European path, it is our duty to be clear in our support. First, the only true and legitimate representative of the Georgian people and only recognised office‑holder is the President, Salome Zourabichvili. Second, Georgian Dream and the self-declared one‑party parliament is not a legitimate authority. I urge the EU leaders, Member States and other international organisations to abstain from all actions that would legitimise the self-appointed Georgian Dream authority.
The violence against the people, the political opposition and the civil society continues to intensify. One of the opposition leaders, Giorgi Gakharia, has been brutally beaten, and independent journalists have been attacked, including Mzia Amaghlobeli, who has been imprisoned for two months. Europe must respond to this by imposing personal sanctions on those responsible, particularly Bidzina Ivanishvili.
The only way out of this crisis is new, independent, fair elections without any delay.
Tobias Cremer, on behalf of the S&D Group. – Mr President, dear colleagues, last week we just heard former Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia was brutally attacked by a group of government thugs, including a Georgian Dream so-called MP armed with a gun. Gakharia was left bleeding, with broken bones, and had to be hospitalised.
Colleagues, sadly, this is not an isolated incident. Over the past weeks and months, more than 400 Georgians – politicians, journalists, but also ordinary citizens – have been arrested, tortured and imprisoned. Their crime: taking to the streets for 55days now to demand a European future for their country.
I have seen these people's courage first-hand during our visit in December. Georgians of all ages and all walks of life – young and old, rich and poor, conservative and progressive – stand together, united in their fight for a future in this European Union and for the right to be represented on this very floor in the European Ϸվ. And they do so knowing full well that no one is safe in Georgia any morefrom the repression and threats of Georgian Dream – no former prime minister, not even the President herself, who spoke to us so passionately just one month ago.
But Georgians are not allowing themselves to be intimidated by that and neither should we, because this escalation of violence is not a sign of strength, but a sign that Georgian Dream is panicking. They are panicking because they have underestimated the will of the Georgian people and the power of the European idea. They thought that they could rig the elections and play the Russian playbook with disinformation and intimidation to cement their power. But they have slowly realised now that this has been a pact with the devil. Putin is not looking for partners or allies, but for vessels and colonies. And we've seen in Syria that suppressing your own people, relying on Putin, will lead you nowhere but into Russian exile.
There is still time for Georgian Dream to end this Georgian nightmare. The gates of Europe, the gates of freedom remain open. But for this, the Georgian Government needs to cease the violence against its own people. It must allow Georgians to express their will in new and fair elections. And they need to do so now!
Thierry Mariani, au nom du groupe PfE. – Monsieur le Président, «Bruxelles doit en faire plus pour soutenir les forces pro-européennes.» Ce débat est à l’image des propos scandaleux que vient de tenir le président de la commission des affaires étrangères du Bundestag. Mais de quel droit pensez-vous influencer les choix démocratiques d’un peuple souverain? Car ces mots ne sont pas ceux du dialogue et du respect mutuel que méritent les nations, mais un aveu d’ingérence illustrant l’arrogance européenne.
En Géorgie, le peuple a parlé, rien que le peuple. D’ailleurs, l’OSCE l’a confirmé dans son rapport du 20décembre 2024: aucune ingérence étrangère n’y est mentionnée, aucune. En revanche, depuis la réélection de Rêve géorgien, Bruxelles multiplie les ingérences pour refuser le choix des Géorgiens. Et que dire des violences que vous cautionnez silencieusement –plus de 150policiers géorgiens blessés?
À Tbilissi, l’Union européenne n’est pas la protectrice de la démocratie, mais la complice du chaos. Ce pays est libre, arrêtez de le caricaturer. Les Géorgiens veulent de l’Europe, mais d’une Europe qui respecte leur choix, car, après l’Union soviétique, la Géorgie ne veut pas devenir une colonie de Bruxelles.
Małgorzata Gosiewska, w imieniu grupy ECR. – Panie Przewodniczący! Od dwóch miesięcy Gruzja pogrążona jest w masowych protestach przeciwko brutalnej, antydemokratycznej władzy, która sfałszowała kolejny już raz wybory oraz – co wywołało największy sprzeciw – zawiesiła rozmowy akcesyjne z Unią Europejską. Władze odpowiadają brutalnymi represjami. Gruzja znalazła się w punkcie krytycznym – wygra kierunek europejskich wartości bądź zbrodniczy reżim Kremla.
Jako Parlament Europejski nie możemy stać z boku. Musimy stanowczo domagać się sankcji wobec oligarchy Iwaniszwilego, związanych z nim biznesmenów i polityków gruzińskich, izolacji międzynarodowej obecnego rządu i parlamentu, wsparcia niezależnych mediów gruzińskich, pomocy skierowanej do proeuropejskich organizacji i środowisk niezależnych, uwolnienia byłego prezydenta Saakaszwilego oraz innych więźniów politycznych. Musimy też budować, Szanowni Państwo, pozytywny kierunek Unii Europejskiej wbrew propagandzie Moskwy. Szanowni Państwo, czas na stanowcze działania! Czas na decyzje!
Nathalie Loiseau, au nom du groupe Renew. – Monsieur le Président, en Géorgie, l’Union européenne est la seule à ne rien faire, et c’est une honte. Les élections ont été volées, et ni le nouveau président, ni le gouvernement, ni le parlement ne sont légitimes. Monsieur le Commissaire, j’attends encore que vous le disiez avec clarté, comme notre Parlement a su le dire.
La population manifeste depuis cinquante-cinqjours. Elle fait face à des intimidations, à une répression brutale, à des arrestations arbitraires et à des violences. Le Conseil a été incapable de prendre des sanctions sérieuses, et les États sont encore trop frileux, à l’exception des pays baltes, que je salue. Les États-Unis ont agi, pas nous. Les mesures que nous avons prises n’ont aucun sens.
Les Géorgiens défilent dans la rue avec des drapeaux européens, ils croient en l’Europe –franchement, ils ont bien du mérite. La présidente Zourabichvili alerte avec constance et justesse: ce qui se passe en Géorgie est grave, pas seulement pour les Géorgiens, mais pour le Caucase, pour la sécurité en mer Noire, et donc pour nous.
Pour le moment, en Géorgie, le score est de 1 pour Poutine, 0 pour l’Europe –et pour la démocratie. Le match n’est pas fini, faisons en sorte de ne pas le perdre.
Reinier Van Lanschot, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group. – MrPresident, it's cold outside today, so imagine going outside and standing there for the next six hours. You shiver, your stomach rumbles and you fear the police might beat you for no reason. Sitting on the couch at home with your family would be so much better. But you stay and you go again tomorrow, like you have been doing for the past 55 days, because you want your country to stop becoming a dictatorship. Because you want your country to have democracy and freedom, because you want your country to join the European Union.
Now, how would you feel if that same Union, after months of debates, would decide that they maybe, just maybe, make it a little bit harder for the officials of that oppressing regime to travel by plane?
European Commission, what are you waiting for? Georgia needs our help! Travel to Tbilisi, support President Zourabishvili, and with a coalition of the willing enforce real sanctions!
Danilo Della Valle, a nome del gruppo The Left. – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, io immagino che le generazioni future scruteranno l'operato di questo Parlamento, interrogandosi sull'azione dei rappresentanti delle democrazie europee mentre l'Occidente scivolava nel caos.
Per l'ennesima volta ci accingiamo a dibattere sulla situazione in Georgia, ma questa assemblea non ha trovato il tempo di esprimersi con una sola risoluzione sulle condizioni disumane e sul genocidio perpetrato ai danni della popolazione palestinese.
E tutto questo per me è vergognoso.
La verità è che non esiste un reale interesse verso la democrazia e verso i diritti umani: i partiti di maggioranza sfruttano questa retorica solo per attaccare i paesi che non si piegano agli interessi occidentali.
In Georgia, l'OSCE ha potuto constatare, nel complesso, il corretto svolgimento delle elezioni. Ciò non nega le problematiche del paese, che sono tantissime – e noi abbiamo condannato diverse leggi che ci sono in Georgia che non condividiamo – ma allo stesso tempo è inaccettabile la volontà dell'élite europea di voler alterare il risultato elettorale quando questo non coincide con le scelte di politica estera della NATO.Si giunge persino a legittimare una presidente, nonostante sia ormai legalmente decaduta.
Questa mentalità appartiene al passato. Se non volete ascoltare noi, almeno prendete in considerazione i cittadini europei che non votano o sostengono qualsiasi altra formazione politica in discontinuità con l'attuale leadership dell'Unione europea.
È tempo di un cambiamento radicale del nostro approccio per non tradire la fiducia dei popoli che rappresentiamo e per affrontare con equità e giustizia le sfide globali che ci attendono.
Tomasz Froelich, im Namen der ESN-Fraktion. – Herr Präsident! Die EU beklagt ständig fremde Einmischung, dabei mischt sie sich selbst seit Monaten in die Angelegenheiten Georgiens ein. Sie droht Georgien mit Sanktionen. Sie unterstützt einen Staatsstreich in Tiflis, der an den blutigen Euromaidan in der Ukraine erinnert– aufgestachelte Demonstranten, vom Ausland finanzierteNGOs, Massenprotest auf den Straßen. Das Ergebnis kennen wir– es ist kein gutes.
Die EU macht dies deshalb, weil sie nicht verlieren kann. Denn in Georgien haben sich politische Kräfte durchgesetzt, die die Brüsseler Agenda nicht teilen. Die Georgier wollen traditionelle christliche Werte stattWokeness, Souveränität statt Westbindung, Frieden statt Krieg. Und sie wollen keine Fremdeinmischung– weder aus Moskau noch aus Brüssel noch aus Washington– nachvollziehbar. Ein Michael Roth von der SPD hat auf den Straßen von Tiflis als Anpeitscher nichts verloren.
Wir sollten deshalb– auch im eigenen Interesse– den Willen der Georgier respektieren. Keine arroganten Belehrungen, keine eskalierenden Interventionen, sondern gute diplomatische Beziehungen zu Tiflis. Denn Georgien darf nicht zu einer zweiten Ukraine werden.
Michał Wawrykiewicz (PPE). – MrPresident, Commissioner: 'I will not bow to this regime; I will not play by its rules. I am on the hunger strike. There is something greater than life itself - it's freedom.' These powerful words from the courageous Georgian journalist MsMzia Amaglobeli remind us how serious the situation in Georgia is today.
As she stands against the pro-Russian regime of Ivanishvili, I stand with her and with all of these fantastic people on the streets of Tbilisi or Batumi; and I can simply say 'I'm Georgian today!'.
Europe underestimated Russian imperialists for many decades. We cannot repeat the mistakes of Yalta in 2014. Now is the time to act. We must impose stronger sanctions and support free media, as well as citizens struggling for the democratic and European future of Georgia.
As MsAmaglobeli warns: 'today, it is me; tomorrow it could be anyone.' The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing. Let us not fail Georgia!
Nacho Sánchez Amor (S&D). – Señor presidente, señor comisario, sobre las elecciones, algunos colegas han afirmado aquí que la observación electoral internacional consideró perfectas las elecciones. No es así. No puedo entrar en detalles, querido amigo Mariani, pero la OSCE criticó duramente muchas condiciones y también la presión violenta sobre los electores.
Pero hay un elemento del que se habla poco: la agenda oculta de las elecciones. Sueño Georgiano se presentó a las elecciones sin decirle a los votantes: «voy a sacar al país del camino europeo». Seguramente muchos georgianos hubieran votado de distinta forma si hubieran sabido que lo que le proponía el Gobierno era «fuera Europa, bienvenida Rusia». Por tanto, hay un elemento de legitimidad que hay que volver a decir.
Algunos compañeros se han referido también al ataque a Giorgi Gajaria, exprimer ministro del país, por personas armadas del partido del Gobierno. Ese hecho y muchos otros reflejan un elemento de impunidad absoluta. Los activistas son perseguidos, son juzgados y son puestos en la cárcel inmediatamente. No hay todavía ninguna resolución judicial sobre los agresores de los activistas proeuropeos. Eso, obviamente, no es casualidad. No son solo algunos policías, señor comisario, son también muchos activistas.
(el presidente retira la palabra al orador)
Rihards Kols (ECR). – Mr Preisdent, dear colleagues, the situation in Georgia is deteriorating rapidly. The Georgian people want the European future, but their government responds with violence, repression and lies. The Georgian 'nightmare party' has abandoned all its commitments and any pretences, silencing opposition, harassing journalists and using brutal force against peaceful protesters.
The regime makes a mockery of democracy, hiding behind its principles while trampling them with every action. Their propaganda is straight out of the Kremlin's playbook. Absurd to the point of eliciting a laugh, but not dangerous in its intent. They present themselves as defenders of stability while sowing chaos and targeting their own citizens.
If we do nothing, we abandon the Georgian people to the government that fears democracy and thrives on oppression. The EU must suspend Georgia's accession process and impose sanctions on those enabling this crackdown. Georgian people cannot afford to be left at the mercy of those who despise its European path.
Helmut Brandstätter (Renew). – Herr Präsident, Herr Kommissar! In Österreich werde ich manchmal gefragt: Warum beschäftigen Sie sich mit Georgien? Dann kann ich sagen: Ja, weil Georgien einst ein Musterbeispiel für Demokratie war und sich zu einem autoritären Staat entwickelt hat; nein, es wurde zu einem autoritären Staat gemacht von einem Oligarchen, einem Menschen, der nur Geld verdienen wollte, gemeinsam mit einem anderen, einem skrupellosen Mann, dem in Moskau, einem Kriegsverbrecher, der das nächste Land besetzen will.
Dass das den Kollegen von der AfD nicht stört, das weiß ich schon, weil Sie ja natürlich mit Demokratie nichts anfangen können, vor allem nicht damit was anfangen können, dass das ein europäisches Volk ist, ein altes europäisches Kulturvolk, und die Menschen dort wollen leben wie wir. Sie wollen in Freiheit leben. Sie wollen mit Demokraten, mit Demokratie leben, sie wollen normale demokratische Medien haben, und das wird ihnen nicht gestattet, und deswegen ist es selbstverständlich, dass wir uns für sie einsetzen. Es war beeindruckend, wie die Präsidentin Surabischwili da war, und ich danke allen, die dort waren, ob das der Kollege Roth aus dem deutschen Bundestag war oder andere. Klare Worte: Liebe Menschen in Georgien, wir sind auf Eurer Seite, wir vergessen Euch nicht.
Sergey Lagodinsky (Verts/ALE). – Mr President,we were talking here about misinformation and lies, and some of those lies have made it to this panel, to this podium. People talking about 'bloody Maidan' or violence in the streets. We were in the streets. Many of us went to Tbilisi. We were actually doing your job while you were still here. And we were walking with those people through the cold Georgian evening and cold Georgian night – hundreds and thousands of people. They walked for their future and the future of their grandchildren, proclaiming they want a European future.
Georgians dream of a democratic future aligned with the European dream. And this is the true dream of Georgia. But the party that calls itself Georgian Dream, uses the full force of its authority to persecute journalists, attack peaceful protesters and even opposition and former prime ministers like Giorgi Gakharia, who was attacked in a brutal way just a couple of days ago.
So, Irakli Kobakhidze and Mikheil Kavelashvili: the Georgian Dream of the new, tailored direction has its names. So, Irakli Kobakhidze and Mikheil Kavelashvili, I'm asking you, how much are you ready to escalate? Your people want only one thing: they want a rerun of elections under democratic circumstances. And this is what you have to grant them. This is the right they are fighting for, and they don't want to be tortured. We saw people who were tortured in Georgia. They have a right to be safe, and if not, then we should work on a coalition of the willing who would impose targeted sanctions also against you.
Petar Volgin (ESN). – Уважаеми колеги, основното разделение в днешния свят е между силите, които искат отделните нации сами да решават важните за тях въпроси, и силите, които настояват за тотална намеса на наднационалните институции в живота на държавите.
В Грузия виждаме точно това противопоставяне. Хубавото е, че настоящата власт в Тбилиси, избрана от мнозинството от грузинците, имаше и продължава да има смелостта да се противопоставя на изключително силния натиск, идващ от Вашингтон и Брюксел. Колективният Запад много иска да приложи украинския сценарий отпреди десетилетия в Грузия, тоест да свали с преврат избраното законно правителство. Управляващите в Тбилиси спират тези опити, защото знаят, че ако това се случи, следващата стъпка е страната им да бъде натикана в поредната военна месомелачка, точно така, както беше направено с Украйна.
Дойдат ли на власт в Грузия партии, спонсорирани от западните властови центрове, жреците на войната ще пожертват Грузия по същия начин, по който някогашните жреци на ацтеките са принасяли безброй човешки жертви на своите кръвожадни богове.
Branislav Ondruš (NI). – Vážený pán predsedajúci, dámy a páni, najabsurdnejším je obvinenie gruzínskej vlády, že je proruská. Ako môže byť proruská vláda, ktorá sa nezmierila s okupáciou vyše 20 % svojho územia, ktorá požaduje, aby Rusi sa stiahli a bojuje za obnovenie územnej celistvosti Gruzínska? Dnešná situácia je dôsledkom ignorovania gruzínskej reality a bezprecedentného zasahovania rôznych európskych politikov do vnútorných gruzínskych záležitostí. Zmenené postoje gruzínskej vlády za posledné dva roky sú obranným mechanizmom v reakcii na neférový nátlak zo strany Európy. Namiesto tolerancie a pochopenia komplikovanej gruzínskej reality vo vzťahu k Rusku začala Únia Gruzíncom diktovať bez ohľadu na dopady na ich ekonomiku a obranyschopnosť. Gruzínsko je odsúdené na vyvážené vzťahy s Ruskom, pretože EÚ mu neponúka ani len bezpečnostné záruky. Ruská armáda môže byť v Tbilisi za tri dni a ja vám pripomínam, že EÚ mnoho rokov priateľsky spolupracovala s Ruskom bez ohľadu na dlhoročnú okupáciu gruzínskeho územia. Preto vyzývam na zmenu nášho prístupu a obnovenie férového a partnerského dialógu s gruzínskou vládou na báze vzájomného rešpektu.
Antonio López-Istúriz White (PPE). – MrPresident, one thing is clear: the October parliamentary elections were not free and fair. We cannot allow those who stole the elections to get away with it. A wake‑up call, members of the Commission, members of the European Council: in this Ϸվ, we have it clear that the de facto authorities controlled by the oligarch Ivanishvili have adopted increasingly repressive legislation, while detentions of protesters, activists and journalists are used to try to silence the opposition.
The several violent incidents targeting political leaders last week are just unacceptable. The European path to resolving this crisis is clear. We have to be with the Georgian people and ask for the immediate release of all political prisoners and the organisation of new, fair and transparent elections.
We cannot leave Georgia in the hands of the Russians, in the hands of Putin. We have to be close and give our support and our warmth to the people that are suffering in the streets in Georgia.
Marcos Ros Sempere (S&D). – Señor presidente, señor comisario, la democracia continúa amenazada en Georgia. Ya lo dijo la misión de observación del Parlamento Europeo en el país: alertaron de casos de compra de votos, de doble voto, antes y durante las elecciones.
Un Parlamento elegido en unas elecciones de dudosa validez ha elegido ahora un nuevo presidente y la escalada va a más: auge de la violencia política, ataques a líderes de la oposición... Quiero recordar aquí expresamente a Giorgi Gajaria, uno de los líderes de la oposición, que ha tenido que ser hospitalizado tras la agresión de los violentos.
Aún queda camino que recorrer para que Georgia pueda convertirse en miembro de la Unión Europea. Este es el camino que Sueño Georgiano quiere interrumpir, quiere frenar el progreso y el avance de Georgia hacia Europa.
La ciudadanía georgiana merece unas elecciones transparentes y poder elegir un presidente que sea coherente con la voluntad del pueblo georgiano. Una Georgia democrática que camine hacia una Europa más unida.
Veronika Vrecionová (ECR). – Pane předsedající, kolegové, strana Gruzínský sen ve volbách uspěla díky politice strašení válkou a Západem či používání různých konspiračních teorií. Jejich pochybný výsledek stál také na ovládnutí médií oligarchou, který tuto stranu vlastní. Není divu, že Gruzínci po nich vyšli do ulic. Reakce moci na dlouhodobé protesty je naprosto neadekvátní. Sledujeme surové zásahy policie proti demonstrantům, bití opozičních politiků i novinářů přisluhovači režimu. Vidíme násilné akce na zastrašení všech, kterým vadí podivné volby a otočení zahraničněpolitické orientace směrem k Rusku. Na pořadu dne je i další utahování šroubů v gruzínské politice. Podporujme dál prozápadní politické síly a podpořme sankce proti těm, kteří se obrátili proti vlastním občanům.
Dainius Žalimas (Renew). – Mr President, today we can ask ourselves, is it worth being an ally of the European Union? The reality before us suggests a painful answer. Those who stand under the EU flag and fight for our values face violence, silence and even sometimes, betrayal.
In Ukraine, people are dying for the European aspirations. In Georgia, citizens striving for democracy suffer from brutality.
Just last week, as it was mentioned, Giorgi Gakharia, one of the opposition leaders, and Zviad Koridze, the head of Transparency International in Georgia, were attacked and severely beaten. The editor of Georgian independent media outlet Mzia Amaghlobeli was arrested and started a hunger strike.
Our liberal democracy is becoming a synonym of weakness. I fear we are losing the respect of those who look to us as a beacon of hope. To restore that respect in Georgia we must clearly recognise Salome Zourabichvili as the legitimate president of the Georgian people, not to recognise the legitimacy of the Georgian regime authorities, as well as to target all the accomplices of the regime with the most effective sanctions.
Our financial resources must be redirected immediately to those upholding democracy, independent media and civil society.
Davor Ivo Stier (PPE). – Poštovani predsjedavajući, kolegice i kolege, u Gruziji su danas ograničene temeljne ljudske slobode. Stigmatizirane su organizacije civilnog društva, potkopan je integritet gruzijskih demokratskih institucija.
Rad gruzijskih nevladinih organizacija praćen je kaznenim mjerama protiv predstavnika civilnog društva, uključujući neopravdano pozivanje na ispitivanje i visoke novčane kazne, a s druge strane gruzijski sudovi ubrzano i masovno odbacuju tužbe koje su podnijele oporbene političke stranke i predstavnici civilnog društva.
Svjedoci smo prosvjeda gruzijskih građana, dok s druge strane policija nasilno rastjeruje prosvjednike koristeći nerazmjerno nasilje protiv mirnih prosvjednika. Proces pristupanja Europskoj uniji de facto je zaustavljen i to upravo zbog postupaka gruzijskih vlasti.
Stoga moramo i dalje dati potporu legitimnim europskim težnjama gruzijskih građana koji žele demokratsku i europsku Gruziju.
Raphaël Glucksmann (S&D). – Monsieur le Président, Monsieur le Commissaire, chers collègues, bravant la répression, les Géorgiens manifestent pour la liberté, pour la démocratie, pour l’Europe. Et que font les dirigeants européens pour répondre à leurs appels? Rien. Rien ou presque.
Pendant dixans, cette passivité européenne a laissé Poutine placer ses hommes à Tbilissi. Elle a laissé un oligarque à passeport français, BidzinaIvanichvili, acheter un pays pour le compte du Kremlin. Elle a laissé la chasse aux opposants et aux journalistes devenir une norme. Elle a laissé l’homophobie ou la xénophobie devenir un dogme. Elle a laissé emprisonner l’ancien présidentSaakachvili et démanteler la démocratie géorgienne.
Votre passivité, à la Commission et au Conseil, a, en un mot comme en cent, trahi les amis de l’Europe en Géorgie. Alors arrêtez d’être passifs. Suivez enfin les demandes réitérées de ce Parlement, sanctionnez BidzinaIvanichvili et ses affidés. Ne vous contentez plus de mots, ne laissez pas Poutine kidnapper une nation européenne de plus sans réagir.Sakartvelos gaumarjos! (Vive la Géorgie!)
Reinhold Lopatka (PPE). – Mr President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, the 24October parliamentary elections have raised serious questions about the Georgian Government's commitment to democratic values and to European integration. As one of the election observers, together with my colleagues, we noted significant irregularities, including political pressure before the election day, misuse of state resources and attacks on opposition politicians, all undermining the principles of free and fair elections.
But something absolutely new for me was the use of surveillance cameras in all polling stations. I have observed elections in 35different countries, but this was absolutely new for me. Such actions are unacceptable for a country with EU candidate status.
We have to support all the democratic forces and we have to say it very clearly: the 'Georgian Dream' stopped European integration and they are very close with Russia. This is the situation, and here we have to be loud and clear.
Michał Szczerba (PPE). – Mr President, Mr Commissioner, dear colleagues, the worsening political situation in Georgia demands our immediate attention. Just one month ago, I visited Tbilisi with a cross-party delegation of seven MEPs and I have to tell you very openly that the last Georgian election was stolen, and the only legitimate representative of Georgia is President Zourabichvili.
Ϸվ has reaffirmed its support for the Georgian people, but what we need now are actions. First of all, Ivanishvili and Georgian Dream officials must be sanctioned, including asset freezing. We need action. We just have to stop talking. I strongly condemn violence against the people and threats against the President.
I ask the Commission, I ask the Council: do your job. You have to be with the Georgian people. Georgia is a candidate country. We need them.
Lukas Mandl (PPE). – MrPresident, Commissioner, colleagues, in 2019, at the beginning of the last mandate, I was meant to visit Tbilisi and to speak in the Georgian Ϸվ, on the premises of the parliament at a different event. But this speech never happened, because during this event a Russian visitor at that time took over the chair of the event, and the people went on the streets and demonstrated against it and the event had to be cancelled.
This is one of the occasions when I visited Georgia – and I have visited Georgia several times – when I clearly understood that the vast majority of people is very much against the influence of this Putin Russian regime we face everywhere. They want the European perspective. They wanted a Georgian dream within Europe, but the party that's called 'Georgian Dream' became a Georgian 'nightmare'.
I feel disappointed myself visiting often – and meeting here in the European Ϸվ even more often – Georgian representatives. And I feel disappointed for Europe, as the EU can do a lot for Georgia and others to be faster with European integration processes.
Brīvais mikrofons
Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis (S&D). – Gerbiamas posėdžio pirmininke, gerbiamas komisare, kolegos, visi daugmaž kalbėjusieji iš tiesų pabrėžia be galo akivaizdžiai, kad didelė dalis Sakartvelo visuomenės yra pasirengusi dar kartą reikalauti pakartotinių ir sąžiningų rinkimų. Ir akivaizdu, kad mes turime aiškiai atsakyti sau į klausimą: ką Komisija blogai darė arba nepadarė per penkerius metus? Kada juk tiek, penki metai, buvo taip vadinamos Rytų partnerystės arba Rytų kaimynystės politikos. Ir ko Europos Sąjunga nepadarė, kad štai dabar tokia yra situacija Sakartvele, kur mes tiek daug dėjome vilčių, kad dešimt bus šalių kandidačių, stojančių į Europos Sąjungą. Štai dabar Gruzijos klausimas yra įšalęs ir komplikuotas visais požiūriais. Todėl iš tiesų raginčiau Komisiją žymiai aktyviau įsijungti į Sakartvelo problematikos sprendimą.
(Brīvā mikrofona uzstāšanos beigas.)
Magnus Brunner, Member of the Commission. – Mr President, honourable Members, thank you for your insightful contributions to this debate. For months, the Georgian people have been demonstrating their attachment to democratic values and their European future. Their determination and resilience deserve our support. The European Union will not abandon them on this journey.
We will further increase our support to civil society and independent media so they can continue their work during this very crucial period.We will also further step up our communication and fight against disinformation and, ultimately, the future of EU‑Georgia relations lies in the hands of the Georgian authorities. Their stated commitment should be demonstrated through concrete actions, including the implementation of the ODIHR recommendations, the investigations, also, of electoral irregularities, the prosecution of those responsible for violence against peaceful demonstrators, and a genuine commitment and action on the necessary pro-European reforms. Our door will be open to re-engage on this basis.
I also note that you, honourable Members, and a number of Member States, have suggested that the authorities should address the calls for new elections, while the current measures taken by the European Union address the undemocratic actions of the authorities.
Let me reiterate that our support for the European aspirations of the Georgian people will of course continue.