Georgian authorities have been making moves to distance the country from the European Union, while the Western Balkans are considering an EU growth plan. The outcome of parliamentary elections in Georgia saw the pro-Kremlin Georgian Dream party come out on top, leading to accusations of a rigged vote and mass protests. Research fellows and policy experts pointed out flaws in the electoral process, with suspicions of rigging on election day. Spanish MEP Antonio López-Istúriz White expressed shock at the Prime Minister’s plans to ban the opposition after the elections, calling it alarming for democrats.
In Brussels, EU enlargement reports were released, detailing progress in the ten countries waiting to join the EU. However, the European Commission is hesitant to recommend opening accession talks with Georgia in the near future. The reviews come shortly after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s visit to the Western Balkans, highlighting the region’s relevance in EU integration. With various developments in Georgia and the Western Balkans, the EU is facing challenges in maintaining its relationship with these regions.
Tinatin Akhvlediani, a research fellow with CEPS, Iliriana Gjoni, a research analyst with Carnegie Europe, and Teona Lavrelashvili, a policy expert at the Wilfried Martens Centre, provided insight into the political landscape in Georgia. Lavrelashvili emphasized that a country aspiring to be an EU candidate should not conduct elections marred by irregularities. Akhvlediani raised concerns about election rigging that complicates the process of proving misconduct. These experts shed light on the challenges facing Georgian democracy and its aspirations for EU membership.
The protests following the Georgian elections highlight the public’s dissatisfaction with the electoral process and the government’s handling of political opposition. The international community, including MEPs like Antonio López-Istúriz White, has expressed alarm at the suggestion of banning opposition parties, seeing it as a threat to democratic principles. The rift between the Georgian government and the public, as well as the EU, underscores the need for transparent and fair elections to secure the country’s path towards EU candidacy.
As the European Commission reviews the progress of aspiring EU member states, including those in the Western Balkans, it is evident that Georgia may face delays in opening accession talks. The country’s political turmoil and concerns over election integrity may have influenced the Commission’s decision. The EU’s engagement with the Western Balkans, as demonstrated by von der Leyen’s recent visit, reflects the importance of the region in EU enlargement efforts. Balancing the needs of candidate countries like Georgia with the EU’s standards and expectations presents a complex challenge for both sides.
