EU officials condemn Georgia’s new laws as threat to democracy

The European Union on Wednesday strongly criticized Georgia’s recent legislative actions, warning that they endanger democratic principles and could derail the country’s EU aspirations.

In a joint statement, High Representative and Vice-President Kaja Kallas and Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Marta Kos expressed “grave concerns” over the newly adopted Foreign Agents Registration Act and the Law on Broadcasting.

The EU officials stressed the laws were passed without proper public consultations and granted the Georgian government additional tools to suppress dissent, restrict fundamental freedoms, and stifle independent media. The statement warned that such actions “erode the foundations of democracy” and were “fundamentally incompatible” with EU values, which include democracy, rule of law, and media pluralism.

“These steps will negatively impact Georgia’s EU path,” the statement read, stressing that adherence to European democratic standards was not negotiable.

The EU reiterated that an overwhelming majority of Georgians supported EU integration and urged the authorities to halt the crackdown on dissent, release unjustly detained individuals, and suspend repressive laws. The officials also called for a consultation with the Venice Commission and meaningful dialogue with civil society and political actors to resolve the ongoing crisis.

“Georgia’s return to the EU accession path is fully in the hands of the country’s authorities,” the statement concluded, reaffirming the EU’s commitment to supporting the Georgian people’s European aspirations.

This latest EU reaction comes amid escalating tensions in Georgia, where critics argue that the government’s recent actions align more with authoritarian trends than with the democratic reforms required for EU membership.