European Parliament Warns Georgia's EU Path at Risk Over Authoritarian Policies
By Liza Mchedlidze
Monday, July 21, 2025
The European Parliament has sharply criticized Georgia's government, warning that the country's path to European Union membership is in jeopardy unless it reverses what the Parliament described as an authoritarian direction.
"Georgia cannot join the EU until its government changes its authoritarian course," the Parliament said in a July 19 social media post. It added that it "does not recognise Georgia's current government."
The post accompanied the Parliament's July 9 report, which stated that Georgia's "EU path is effectively suspended until fair elections happen." While the report reflects the views of the EU's top legislative body, it does not represent an official decision by the European Commission or Council to suspend Georgia's membership process.
The Parliament also reaffirmed its support for Georgian citizens. "It stands with the Georgian people," the statement said.
Concerns are also growing over Georgia's visa-free travel arrangement with the EU. On July 18, the EU Delegation to Georgia said there had been "no progress since the Commission December 2024 report" and cited "further backsliding on fundamental rights and non-discrimination." The Delegation warned that "full visa suspension may follow" if the issues are not addressed.
The Georgian government has until the end of summer to respond to the Commission's eight recommendations. These include repealing laws that restrict civil society and LGBTQ rights, enhancing anti-corruption measures, and protecting fundamental freedoms.
"Visa-free travel is based on mutual commitments," French Ambassador Sheraz Gasri wrote in her repost of the EU Delegation's message. "The visa suspension mechanism is the pre-agreed procedure to get back on track when commitments are broken."
"Mutual respect is essential to protect our mutual benefits," she added.
Georgia's ruling party has so far shown limited willingness to meet the EU's conditions, prompting escalating warnings from European institutions. However, no formal action has yet been taken to suspend Georgia's visa-free status or EU candidate process.
