Opposition Forces in Georgia Appeal to EU Over Illegitimacy of Presidential Election

 The four largest opposition parties in Georgia have made a joint appeal to the European Union, urging the bloc to take strong action following the approval of Mikheil Kavelashvili, the candidate from the ruling Georgian Dream party, as the new president of Georgia. This appeal, which was sent to Kaja Kallas, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and to the foreign ministers of EU member states, highlights concerns over what the opposition sees as an increasingly undemocratic political climate in Georgia.

The letter was signed by prominent opposition figures, including Nika Melia of the Coalition for Change, Tina Bokuchava of the Unity-National Movement, Mamuka Khazaradze of Strong Georgia, and Zaza Tavadze of Gakharia for Georgia. These leaders accuse the Georgian Dream regime of being illegitimate, specifically targeting Bidzina Ivanishvili, the powerful oligarch behind the party, whose influence is seen as detrimental to Georgian democracy. The opposition’s concerns are particularly focused on Kavelashvili’s election, which was held not through a popular vote but via a parliamentary process that they deem undemocratic.

The appeal outlines several demands from the EU, including the immediate release of detained political figures, activists, and demonstrators, as well as sanctions against individuals involved in political repression, particularly Ivanishvili and his allies. It also calls for the suspension of visa-free travel for officials tied to the current government and demands that the EU publicly declare Ivanishvili’s regime illegitimate in its statements. Furthermore, the opposition leaders have urged the EU to condemn violence against peaceful protesters, journalists, and activists, which has reportedly increased under the current government.

The election of Kavelashvili, a former footballer with known ties to anti-Western propaganda and the controversial "foreign agents" law, has sparked outrage among the opposition, who argue that his presidency will only further entrench an undemocratic regime in Georgia. They express concern that Kavelashvili’s lack of independence from the ruling party will undermine the democratic institutions in Georgia and negatively affect the country’s relations with Europe.

This political crisis has deepened the divide between the Georgian government and the opposition, with current President Salome Zourabichvili also rejecting the election results, considering them illegitimate. The appeal to the European Union represents an urgent call from Georgia’s opposition to support democratic values in the face of increasing authoritarianism.