UK and EU reprimand Georgia for suspected decline in democracy ahead of pivotal election
The ruling party in Georgia, in conjunction with Moscow, has accused the West of ‘gross interference’ in the domestic affairs of the country in the South Caucasus.
The UK has halted planned security discussions with Georgia, a small nation in the South Caucasus region, due to concerns about perceived democratic backsliding and anti-Western rhetoric from the ruling Georgian Dream party.
Gareth Ward, the UK’s representative in Tbilisi, announced in an exclusive interview with Georgia’s InterPress news agency that bilateral Wardrop Dialogues have been frozen for the first time in a decade.
Recent actions by Georgian Dream, criticized as anti-democratic, led to the suspension of planned Defense Staff talks and new cybersecurity initiatives by the UK.
The UK ambassador highlighted the passage of legislation in Georgia that requires organizations receiving foreign funding to register as “organizations pursuing foreign interests” as a problematic move that could stifle free speech and expression.
Georgian Dream lawmakers have been accused of promoting conspiracy theories that suggest Western powers are undermining Georgia ahead of parliamentary elections on Oct. 26.
The UK’s comments less than two weeks before the election were viewed as ‘gross interference’ by Georgian Dream, according to lawmaker Archil Gorduladze.
Brussels has also been critical of Tbilisi since the adoption of the anti-foreign influence law, expressing serious concern and halting the EU accession process for Georgia.
The upcoming EU summit will reiterate demands for free and fair parliamentary elections in Georgia and warn of possible sanctions if the polls are not deemed fair.
Additionally, Washington has imposed sanctions and visa restrictions on officials linked to Georgian Dream, while Moscow has accused Western powers of attempting to influence the upcoming election in Georgia.
Russia, which has not had diplomatic relations with Tbilisi since the Russia–Georgia war in 2008, denies interfering in Georgia’s internal affairs and claims to have no plans to do so.
Last week, Moscow extended visa-free travel for Georgian nationals to Russia and eased restrictions on studying and working in the country.
The developments in Georgia’s political landscape have drawn widespread international attention, with various countries and organizations expressing concerns about the democratic process in the South Caucasus nation.
