European Parliament recognizes Salome Zourabichvili as president of Georgia

The European Parliament (EP) has adopted a resolution formally recognizing Salome Zourabichvili as the legitimate President of Georgia, while also declaring the current government led by the Georgian Dream party illegitimate.

In a resolution adopted on February 13, the European Parliament officially refused to recognize the self-proclaimed authorities of Georgia's ruling Georgian Dream party following the controversial parliamentary elections held on 26 October 2024, Caliber.Az reports per EP.

The resolution specifically rejects Mikheil Kavelashvili, the newly appointed president, and calls on the international community to join in a boycott of the country’s ruling elite.

Despite the current government’s claims to legitimacy, MEPs continued to recognize Salome Zourabichvili as Georgia's legitimate president. The resolution urged European Council President António Costa to invite Zourabichvili to represent Georgia at upcoming European Council and European Political Community meetings, further reaffirming her role as the internationally recognized head of state.

The disputed elections, which have plunged Georgia into a political and constitutional crisis, have sparked widespread anti-government protests throughout the country. These peaceful demonstrations have been met with violent repression by the police, prompting calls from MEPs for EU member states and the European Council to impose personal sanctions on Georgian officials responsible for electoral fraud, human rights abuses, and the persecution of political opponents and activists.

The resolution underscores that the only solution to Georgia's ongoing political crisis is the holding of new, fair parliamentary elections. MEPs have called for these elections to take place within the next few months, under an improved electoral environment, overseen by an independent election administration, and monitored by international observers.

The EP expressed its deep regret over the Georgian Dream party’s abandonment of its European integration and NATO membership ambitions. However, the Parliament reiterated its steadfast support for the legitimate European aspirations of the Georgian people.

The resolution passed with overwhelming support, securing 400 votes in favor, 63 against, and 81 abstentions.

Georgia's relations with the EU and the US began to deteriorate after the local parliament passed a law on foreign agents and also announced the suspension of negotiations on the republic's accession to the EU. The West was also angered by the results of the parliamentary elections, which were held on October 26, 2024. The ruling Georgian Dream - Democratic Georgia party won, but the opposition and former President Salome Zourabichvili did not recognise the results of the vote.

Earlier, Georgia refused to follow the EU instructions.

In December 2023, Georgia was granted EU candidate status, yet the country’s most recent parliamentary elections were criticized by the European Parliament as neither free nor fair. MEPs have called for the re-run of the elections within the next year to ensure a fair democratic process and restore public trust in the political system.

By Vafa Guliyeva