On June 17, the European Parliament adopted a report on Georgia by 436 votes to 145, sharply criticizing the policies of the ruling Georgian Dream party. According to the document, the Parliament voiced its "full solidarity with the Georgian people" in their efforts to preserve a democratic and European future for the country amid what it described as democratic decline, political repression, arrests, disinformation campaigns, and threats. The report noted that nearly 75% of Georgian citizens continue to support closer integration with the European Union and reiterated that the EU remains open to Georgia’s return to the European path.

The report states that Georgian Dream has effectively reversed Georgia’s European integration course and failed to meet the conditions attached to the country's candidate status. MEPs argued that official claims regarding EU integration as a strategic priority are contradicted by what they described as a coordinated campaign against the EU, its representatives, and diplomats. The Parliament also maintained that the parliamentary elections of October 2024 were rigged and stated that the ruling party has since accelerated the country’s movement toward authoritarian governance.

According to the document, a number of state institutions, including the Central Election Commission, the Constitutional Court, the Prosecutor’s Office, the National Bank, and law enforcement agencies, lack independence and democratic oversight. The report stressed that Georgia cannot advance in its accession process without restoring democratic reforms, guaranteeing free and fair elections, strengthening institutional independence, addressing oligarchic influence, and improving human rights and media freedoms.

The European Parliament reiterated calls for targeted sanctions against Bidzina Ivanishvili, members of his family, associated companies, senior Georgian Dream officials, judges, prosecutors, and other individuals deemed responsible for democratic backsliding and human rights violations. It welcomed visa bans and sanctions already imposed by several EU member states and urged other countries to adopt similar measures. The document also called for the freezing of Ivanishvili’s assets in coordination with international partners, including the United Kingdom and the United States.

MEPs stated that engagement with the Georgian authorities should be conditioned on concrete and verifiable democratic reforms. The report reaffirmed the Parliament’s position of not recognizing the legitimacy of the current parliament and president and described Georgia’s legislature as a "de facto one-party parliament" that approves laws undermining democratic pluralism. It called on European officials to limit political contacts with Georgian Dream representatives while expanding cooperation with civil society, independent media, and academic institutions.

The report criticized changes to electoral legislation adopted in 2024 and 2025, arguing that they strengthened the ruling party’s dominance and imposed additional restrictions on election observers and media organizations. MEPs expressed concern over the absence of OSCE/ODIHR observation missions and restrictions affecting local monitoring groups, stating that these factors undermined confidence in electoral processes. They also condemned legislation adopted in December 2025 that bars Georgian citizens abroad from participating in elections.

Particular attention was devoted to legislation affecting civil society organizations and independent media. The Parliament condemned restrictions on foreign funding, including amendments to the Law on Grants that criminalize the receipt of foreign funding without government authorization and may result in prison sentences of up to six years. According to the report, these measures violate Georgia’s obligations under the EU-Georgia Association Agreement and threaten the viability of independent organizations.

The document also criticized attempts to prosecute opposition figures, describing the imprisonment of political opponents as incompatible with Georgia’s commitments under its agreement with the EU. It called for the release of all individuals imprisoned on political grounds, including opposition politicians and former officials. MEPs reiterated their demand for the immediate release of Mikheil Saakashvili on humanitarian grounds so that he can receive medical treatment abroad and requested unrestricted access for European Parliament members to visit him and other political prisoners.

The report raised concerns regarding judicial independence, corruption, and political influence over legal institutions. It called for comprehensive reforms of the High Council of Justice and changes to the appointment process for the Prosecutor General. MEPs also criticized the dissolution of the Anti-Corruption Bureau, which had been established as part of Georgia’s EU candidate obligations.

The European Parliament strongly opposed efforts to ban opposition parties and condemned legal initiatives targeting major opposition groups, including the United National Movement, Coalition for Change, and Strong Georgia-Lelo. It warned that such actions threaten political pluralism and democratic competition. MEPs also criticized new Criminal Code provisions that could criminalize "public and systematic" criticism of the authorities.

The document expressed alarm over reported violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms. It condemned excessive force against protesters, allegations of torture and ill-treatment, arbitrary detentions, threats against activists, and restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly. MEPs called for independent investigations into alleged abuses and urged Georgian authorities to align administrative and criminal procedures with European human rights standards.

The report further highlighted concerns regarding discrimination against vulnerable groups, including LGBTIQ+ individuals. It called for the repeal of the Law on Family Values and the Protection of Minors, arguing that its provisions violate fundamental rights and freedoms. MEPs also stressed the importance of protecting labor rights, academic freedom, and media pluralism.

The European Parliament welcomed the activation of the OSCE Moscow Mechanism to assess Georgia’s compliance with international commitments and urged authorities to implement resulting recommendations. It also referred to recommendations adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe aimed at ensuring Georgia’s compliance with its international obligations.

Strong criticism was directed at Georgian Dream-affiliated media outlets, including Imedi TV, PosTV, and Rustavi 2, which the report accused of conducting disinformation campaigns against the EU and its representatives. The Parliament noted the United Kingdom’s sanctions against Imedi TV and PosTV and encouraged EU member states to consider similar restrictive measures.

The report also expressed concern over pressure on independent media organizations, growing state influence over higher education institutions, and alleged fraudulent call-center operations targeting EU citizens. MEPs welcomed the suspension of visa-free travel privileges for holders of Georgian diplomatic and official passports and warned that continued democratic backsliding could ultimately jeopardize visa-free travel for Georgian citizens more broadly.

Regarding foreign policy, the European Parliament noted that Georgia’s alignment with EU foreign and security policy has fallen from 53% in 2024 to 40%. The report criticized Tbilisi for failing to support many international initiatives related to Ukraine and for strengthening ties with Russia. It also expressed concern about reports suggesting Georgian infrastructure could be used to facilitate the re-export or processing of Russian oil products in circumvention of international sanctions.

The document called on Georgian authorities to fully align with EU sanctions against Russia, Belarus, and Iran, strengthen customs controls, and prevent sanctions evasion through Georgian territory or companies registered in the country. It warned that continued failure to do so would directly affect Georgia’s EU accession prospects.

MEPs further argued that Georgian Dream has abandoned Euro-Atlantic integration in favor of closer cooperation with China, Russia, and Iran. The report described this shift as incompatible with Georgia’s constitutional commitment to European integration and criticized investigations launched against individuals who had highlighted growing authoritarian influence in the country.

The European Parliament expressed concern over the role of Chinese state-owned companies in strategic projects, including the Anaklia Deep Sea Port, and emphasized that major connectivity initiatives require Georgia to remain a transparent and reliable partner. It also warned about growing Iranian influence through economic, educational, and religious networks and raised concerns that such structures could facilitate sanctions evasion and money laundering.

Reaffirming its support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, the Parliament strongly condemned Russia’s continued occupation of the separatist regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia, as well as ongoing borderization efforts. The report criticized illegal detentions of ethnic Georgians in the occupied territories and warned that the development of a Russian naval base in Ochamchire poses a threat to regional security and Georgia’s maritime interests.

The document called for the immediate withdrawal of Russian forces from the occupied regions and urged the introduction of targeted sanctions against individuals responsible for human rights violations in the territories, citing the 2018 Otkhozoria–Tatunashvili List as a precedent.