The European People’s Party (EPP) is alarmed by the deterioration of democracy in Georgia following cases of incarceration of the opposition leaders and misuse of the justice system in favour of the current government. In view of the international appeal made by the Georgian opposition, including the EPP member party United National Movement (UNM), EPP President Joseph Daul said:Georgia has been rapidly backsliding into an authoritarian state since the current government came to power and under the influence of Bidzina Ivanishvili. The use of selective justice and the silencing and suppression of the opposition are seriously undermining Georgia’s democracy. This deteriorating situation is especially worrying given the upcoming parliamentary elections in 2016,” said the EPP President. “It is imperative that the ruling party continues to reform the electoral system in order to allow a more fair and pluralistic representation in Georgia’s future parliament. Failing to implement these reforms will endanger the implementation of the EU-Georgia Association Agreement. The EPP will keep a close eye on the future developments in the country and calls on the Georgian government to engage in a constructive dialogue with all the opposition parties in order to fulfil its obligations so that Georgia stays on the European path,” concluded EPP President Daul.


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Alexandra Henman

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alh@epp.eu

 

Angelos Athanasopoulos

National and Regional Press Director

+32 471 90 76 35

aa@epp.eu