19/12/2024
"Georgians see what is happening as a deposition of their freedom, their future and in some ways their independence."
This was the message of Salome Zourabichvili, president of Georgia, during her address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
Protests began after the Georgian government decided to pause the country’s EU accession process following the disputed parliamentary elections in October 2024.
MEPs rejected the outcome of the elections and called for them to be re-run following the findings of electoral violations. These included documented cases of voter intimidation, vote manipulation, interference with election observers and the media as well as reported manipulation of electronic voting machines.
Parliament President Roberta Metsola had this message for the people of Georgia: "We see you, we hear you, we are with you. This House stands strong with Georgia in its journey towards Europe."
