Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze of Georgia has announced the suspension of talks on European Union accession for four years following a resolution by the European Parliament rejecting the results of the country’s October 26 parliamentary elections. The resolution cited “significant irregularities” in the elections and called for new elections to be held within a year under international supervision. The Prime Minister accused Brussels of “blackmail” and stated that Georgia would not bring up the issue of joining the EU until the end of 2028.
Despite the suspension of talks, Kobakhidze pledged to continue implementing necessary reforms to make Georgia more prepared for EU accession by 2030. The European Parliament’s resolution also called for sanctions on top Georgian officials, including Kobakhidze, Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze, and former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. The resolution highlighted allegations of voter intimidation and manipulation in the election, which was boycotted by opposition parties.
Relations between Georgia and Brussels have deteriorated in recent months, with the EU stating that Georgia’s application for EU membership is frozen. Western countries have also criticized Georgia for passing laws seen as authoritarian and obstacles to EU membership. The opposition in Georgia has called the election results a sham and has boycotted the parliament session, calling for new elections. President Salome Zurabishvili has declared the election unconstitutional and is seeking to annul the results through the Constitutional Court. Despite allegations of voter fraud, the ruling Georgian Dream party has denied any wrongdoing.
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