"Ivanishvili’s regime is Russia’s stronghold in Eastern Europe": European liberals demand increased pressure on Tbilisi

The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) party adopted a resolution regarding the situation in Georgia at its congress in Vienna. Members of the political group urged the European Union to adopt a tougher stance toward the Georgian authorities and to step up sanctions.

The document’s authors assert that the country's current leadership is deliberately distancing Georgia from the democratic world and moving closer to Russia. The resolution states that "the Ivanishvili regime has turned its rule into Russia’s last stronghold and satellite in Eastern Europe, deliberately severing ties with the democratic world and dismantling the country’s democratic achievements." At the same time, ALDE emphasizes its support for Georgian society's aspirations for a European future and maintains that Georgia should become a member of the European Union.

The document also expresses concern over the state of democracy in the country, the persecution of protesters and opposition figures, and what the authors deem to be politically motivated detentions. Issues cited include the deteriorating health of opposition politician Elene Khoshtaria, the arrest of Paata Manjgaladze—Secretary General of the "Strategy Aghmashenebeli" party—and pressure exerted on political forces linked to ALDE.

In light of this, the alliance called on the EU to impose personal and financial sanctions on individuals deemed responsible for human rights violations and political repression, to demand the release of political prisoners, and to ensure Elene Khoshtaria receives necessary medical care.

Furthermore, ALDE proposed using diplomatic, political, and economic tools to support Georgian society, while ensuring that any potential restrictions do not affect the country's citizens as a whole but instead target government officials and their associates. The resolution separately condemns the annexation of Georgia’s occupied territories and Russia’s attempts to incorporate the occupied Tskhinvali region.

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