Georgia’s Outgoing President Calls on EU to Pressure Pro-Russia Government for New Elections

Salome Zourabichvili urges stronger EU action as protests over halted EU membership talks face police crackdowns.

Outgoing Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili has called on the European Union to push her country’s pro-Russia government to hold new elections, citing democratic backsliding.
Protests have erupted in Georgia after the ruling Georgian Dream party suspended EU membership negotiations, with police increasingly using force to disperse demonstrators.
The EU had granted Georgia candidate status in 2023 but paused the accession process and financial aid in June following the adoption of a controversial 'foreign influence' law.
EU foreign ministers recently imposed visa restrictions on Georgian officials but have yet to agree on broader sanctions, which Zourabichvili argues are insufficient.
Zourabichvili warned of escalating political crises if free and fair elections are not held, as EU leaders prepare to discuss Georgia at a Brussels summit this week.