EU eyes “additional measures” against Georgian Dream, Hungary set to block sanctions at the Foreign Affairs Council

Brussels – The protests in Georgia show no signs of stopping—now reaching their thirteenth consecutive night in Tbilisi and in cities across the country—against the ruling Georgian Dream party, the “stolen” elections, and the halt in efforts to advance EU accession negotiations. In Brussels, discussions are ongoing regarding a response to police violence and arbitrary arrests, although institutional delay is exacerbating frustrations among pro-EU Georgian citizens.

“The EU will consider additional measures at the upcoming Foreign Affairs Council on 16 December,” EEAS spokesperson Anitta Hipper announced in a statement on 10 December, referring to the “Georgian Dream’s course of action that led to the de facto halt of the EU accession process” and the “persistent democratic backslide and the recent repressive means used by Georgian authorities,” that have “consequences for our bilateral relations.” The situation in the EU candidate country will also be discussed by the 27 EU leaders at the European Council on 19 December.

As reported by civil society organisations and the Public Defender of Georgia, “over 400 individuals have been detained, and more than 300 have reportedly suffered violence and ill-treatment, many requiring urgent medical care,” the EEAS spokesperson recalled. “Disturbing reports” indicate “severe, intentional violence, raising credible concerns of torture and inhumane treatment,” including against “media representatives specifically targeted by law enforcement authorities and informal violent groups.” However, so far, “no police officers or members of informal violent groups have been held accountable.”

While the EU asks the ruling party to “de-escalate and put an end to this environment that comes with severe costs for the Georgian people,” hundreds of thousands of protesters are calling for sanctions against those responsible within the ruling party. However, this scenario is unlikely, primarily due to Hungary’s stance: “We oppose adding Georgian officials to any sanctions list. If such a suggestion arises, Hungary will block it,” Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó stated. Unanimity in the EU Council is required to impose EU restrictive measures, and Viktor Orbán‘s veto power is Georgian Dream’s strongest ally in Brussels.

Meanwhile, the EU Ambassador to Georgia, Paweł Herczyński, has faced criticism from opposition parties, protesters, and even President Salomé Zourabichvili following his meeting with Georgian Dream’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maka Bochorishvili, on 9 December. The following day, the EU Ambassador hosted representatives from all EU Member States alongside President Zourabichvili, reassuring that “her work in defending Georgia’s democratic and European aspirations is crucial,” and that the EU will consider “additional measures at EU Council meetings in Brussels next week.” However, the Georgian Head of State emphasised that “what is not being said is that I began by vigorously protesting the outrageous handshake between the EU Ambassador and the de facto Minister of Foreign Affairs,” adding that “praising me does not make up for it.”

What is happening in Georgia

One month after the controversial elections on 26 October—marred by electoral fraud, as denounced by President Zourabichvili, opposition parties, and civil society—Prime Minister Kobakhidze announced that his government will not put “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 decision has sparked a wave of strong protests from the citizens, who are overwhelmingly pro-EU and consider the departure from the European family as a theft of their future. Since 28 October, protests have been taking place every night not only in Tbilisi but almost in all cities in Georgia against the “illegitimate government.” Peaceful protesters have been facing increasing violence from the special police forces, who are also using water cannons mixed with pepper spray to disperse the crowd, while protesters are organising to resist through barricades and fireworks.

On December 4, a wave of unprecedented and violent arrests took place in private homes and offices of opposition politicians and protest leaders. Nika Gvaramia, a leader of Coalition 4 Change, who was physically assaulted by masked men while demanding the formal explanations for the police raid on the offices of the main opposition coalition. “We will put an end to any manifestation of cohabitation in our country. We will do everything to completely eradicate liberal fascism in our country,” Prime Minister Kobakhidze threatened the following day, demonstrating that the ruling party would stop at nothing to maintain power.

Meanwhile, an institutional crisis is looming on the horizon. Under the 2017 constitutional reform, the next President of the Republic will be selected 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 be elected on 14 December. With her term set to end on 29 December, Zourabichvili has announced that she will not leave office until new elections are held and a “legitimate successor” is appointed.