Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan openly stated his desire to prevent the pro-Russian opposition party "Strong Armenia" and the "Armenia" bloc from entering parliament in the 2026 elections. He accused the opposition members of simulating work and coming to parliament only to collect salaries. These remarks came amid the arrests of representatives of "Strong Armenia" on charges of vote-buying.
The leader of the ruling Georgian Dream party in parliament, Mamuka Mdinaradze, and the head of Georgian special forces, Zviad Kharazishvili (Khareba), as well as members of their families, were subject to sanctions by the United States. They are prohibited from entering this country, TV Pirveli and Netgazeti reported.
Also subject to sanctions were members of the political council of the Georgian Dream, Dito Samkharadze, and member of the parliamentary majority, head of the legal committee, Anri Okhanashvili.
On June 6, the US State Department announced the first package of sanctions for supporting the law on foreign agents. The sanctions involve visa restrictions and will affect members of the Georgian Dream, parliamentarians, law enforcement officers and individuals. In total, the sanctions will affect 30 people.