Georgia's Parliament Speaker slams European Parliament critical resolution

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili has harshly criticized the European Parliament’s newly adopted resolution on Georgia, accusing the EU of straying from its core values by demanding the release of former President Mikheil Saakashvili, whom he described as the "architect of a torture system."

“It is impossible for Europe to stand where a dictator who created a system of torture is being called to be released from his sentence,” Papuashvili wrote on social media.

“Political clientelism distances the European Union from its foundational values, such as respect for human rights and the rule of law,” he added.

Papuashvili’s statement comes in direct response to the European Parliament's July 9 resolution, which condemns democratic backsliding in Georgia and continues its refusal to recognize the legitimacy of the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) government.

The resolution was passed with overwhelming support: 490 MEPs voted in favor, 147 opposed, and 49 abstained. It draws on findings from the European Commission's 2023 and 2024 reports on Georgia and marks the first resolution issued on the country since it obtained EU candidate status.

While reaffirming that the Georgian people deserve EU membership, the resolution criticizes GD’s governance and expresses alarm over:

- The imprisonment of political opponents, including activist Mzia Amaglobeli, whose deteriorating health is highlighted

- The use of the judiciary for political repression

- The government’s refusal to invite OSCE/ODIHR to monitor the 2025 municipal elections

- The need for new parliamentary elections under free and fair conditions.

The resolution strongly reiterates its demand for the immediate release of former President Mikheil Saakashvili on humanitarian grounds to seek proper medical treatment abroad. It places full responsibility for his well-being on the Georgian authorities and urges them to grant MEPs access to Saakashvili.

The resolution also calls for a review of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement, reflecting mounting frustration in Brussels over Georgia’s political trajectory under GD rule.

The European Parliament notes that the current conditions—widespread repression, imprisonment of opposition leaders, and refusal to cooperate with international observers—mean the 2025 elections cannot be considered free or fair.