Brussels – Georgian Dream has revealed its true colours. One month after the controversial elections on 26 October—prompting near-daily protests in Tbilisi by opposition parties and civil society to denounce results marred by electoral fraud—the ruling party in Georgia has declared that it will not pursue EU accession negotiations for the next four years.
The announcement was made by Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze immediately after his reconfirmation by the national parliament on 28 November. “The opening of negotiations is now being used as a tool to blackmail our country and divide our society, just as candidate status was previously used,” Kobakhidze stated in a harsh declaration, particularly targeting the European Parliament. On 28 October, the Parliament had overwhelmingly passed a resolution calling for new elections. In response, Kobakhidze criticised the EU institution: “It has become a weapon of blackmail against Georgia, which is the greatest shame for the European Union.”
Stop of EU accession talks
While the Georgian government continues to claim its ultimate goal is to make the country “a full member of the European family by 2030”—a promise previously made to EU High Representative Josep Borrell in February 2024—Kobakhidze accused EU institutions of having no intention of enlargement before the same deadline. He described Brussels’ demands as “not reforms, but steps that would violate our dignity,” specifically referencing calls to repeal the foreign agents law and anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.
“As a result,” Kobakhidze announced, “we have decided not to place the opening of accession negotiations with the EU on the agenda before the end of 2028.” During this period, the government also plans to “reject any EU budget support grants.” The choice of 2028 is strategic. According to Georgian Dream, accession negotiations would take roughly two years to complete “from a technical standpoint.” Citing Georgia’s track record of implementing EU measures “faster or as quickly as other candidate countries,” Kobakhidze asserted that Georgia would be “better prepared than any other candidate country to join the EU by 2030.”
This narrative ignores key decisions already taken in Brussels regarding Georgia’s EU membership prospects. After candidate status was granted in December 2023, the European Council “de facto” paused the process in June 2024, citing “democratic backsliding.” The EU also froze €30 million from the European Peace Facility and €121.3 million (out of €255 million allocated for 2022–2024) in financial assistance.
During her confirmation hearing at the European Parliament, Commissioner-designate for Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos pointed out that the withdrawal of the two laws is a “precondition” for reopening negotiations. This reflects the EU’s stance that accession talks are not unconditional, while Georgian Dream’s rhetoric highlights its unwillingness to engage constructively with the EU’s foundational principles.
The European Parliament’s Resolution
The European Parliament’s resolution on 28 November had a significant impact. With 444 votes in favour, 72 against, and 82 abstentions, MEPs condemned the 26 October elections, deeming them “neither free nor fair.” The resolution highlighted “numerous and serious” electoral violations documented by the EU Parliament’s observation delegation. These irregularities represent further evidence of democratic regression, for which Georgian Dream is “fully responsible.”
Accordingly, the European Parliament stated that the results announced by Georgia’s Central Election Commission “do not reliably represent the will of the Georgian people.” It rejected recognition of the election and called for new elections “within a year under strict international supervision and an independent electoral administration.” Other demands included an independent international investigation into allegations of electoral manipulation, limiting formal EU engagement with the government and Parliament, and imposing sanctions on those responsible for the country’s democratic decline, including Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Tbilisi Mayor and Georgian Dream Secretary General Kakha Kaladze, Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, and oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili.
MEPs also accused Russia of “systematic” interference in Georgia’s democratic processes through disinformation campaigns. One cited example was the so-called “Global War Party conspiracy,” which alleges that after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Georgian opposition forces sought to drag the country into war with Moscow under Western influence. The resolution emphasised that Georgian Dream’s policies are “incompatible” with the Euro-Atlantic integration and warned that any attempt to ban legally constituted political parties would “render EU membership impossible.”
The protests in Tbilisi
In response to the election outcome and post-election developments, Tbilisi has witnessed weeks of protests by opposition parties and civil society groups. Following the government’s inauguration and the Prime Minister’s announcement to halt EU accession efforts, a major demonstration erupted in Freedom Square. Riot police clashed with demonstrators, using water cannons, pepper spray, and tear gas. Thousands of protesters blocked streets, chanted slogans against Russia and Georgian Dream, and reaffirmed their commitment to EU membership.
President Salomé Zourabichvili confronted riot police: “It is not your duty to disperse the people. Do you serve Russia or Georgia?” Positioning herself as “the only legitimate representative” still leading the country, Zourabichvili accused other national institutions of betrayal. “Today marks the culmination of the constitutional coup that has been unfolding for weeks. This illegitimate government has declared war on its own people,” she stated.
However, Zourabichvili’s term ends in December. Under the 2017 constitutional reform, her successor will be chosen by an electoral college of 300 members (150 MPs and 150 representatives of regional and local administrations). Georgian Dream has nominated Mikheil Kavelashvili—a former footballer, co-founder of the Power to the People party, and a staunchly anti-Western politician—who is almost certain to become Georgia’s next president on 14 December.
