EU Report Slams Georgia's Democratic Decline, Warns Membership Prospects Are Dim
By Liza Mchedlidze
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
The European Commission's 2025 enlargement package, released Tuesday, sharply criticized Georgia for weakening democratic institutions and slowing reforms necessary for European Union membership. The report labels Georgia as "a candidate country in name only," signaling that the country's accession prospects are increasingly uncertain.
"Georgia's democratic backsliding is serious and ongoing," said EU Ambassador to Georgia Pawel Herczynski at a press briefing in Tbilisi. "The country is further away from joining the EU than it was just two years ago."
According to the report, Georgia's recent laws targeting civil society organizations, independent media, and political opposition have no precedent among EU candidate states. The Commission warned that institutions designed to guarantee impartial governance are increasingly used for partisan purposes, and law enforcement is applied inconsistently.
High Representative Kaja Kallas highlighted the contrast with other countries seeking EU membership. "The outlook is largely positive for Albania, Moldova, Montenegro, and Ukraine. Georgia stands out negatively," Kallas said during a press event in Brussels.
The report also criticizes Georgia's foreign policy choices, including closer economic relations with Russia and insufficient alignment with EU sanctions. This, combined with domestic democratic shortcomings, raises concerns about the country's readiness to meet EU standards.
Marta Kos, Commissioner for Enlargement, emphasized that the EU could consider additional measures to incentivize reform, including potential adjustments to visa facilitation and financial support mechanisms.
The Georgian government strongly rejected the findings. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the report "groundless" and accused the EU of politicizing the accession process. Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said Georgia remains committed to European integration but insisted that "sovereign decisions should not be judged through a biased lens."
Analysts warn that the report sends a clear message: without swift reforms, Georgia risks further distancing itself from EU membership. "The European Commission is signaling that rhetoric alone is not enough," said Eka Kvesitadze, a Tbilisi-based political analyst. "Concrete steps are required to restore democratic credibility and align policies with EU norms."
The publication of the report comes amid rising domestic tensions in Georgia, including protests over judicial reform and ongoing debates about media freedom, highlighting the challenges the government faces in meeting EU expectations.
