Georgia’s visa-free access to the EU is at risk due to democratic backsliding under the ruling Georgian Dream party. The EU may temporarily suspend the visa liberalization scheme if Georgia does not reverse its trend toward authoritarianism. Concerns escalated after the passage of a foreign agents law and crackdown on protesters, leading Western partners to halt aid and freeze the country’s EU bid. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze dismissed the proposal as “cheap blackmail,” claiming it won’t impact the upcoming parliamentary elections.
Moreover, Georgia faced criticism for passing anti-LGBTQ legislation, which was condemned by Western allies. The murder of prominent transgender figure Kesaria Abramidze highlighted concerns about hate crimes fueled by political hate speech. The EU-Georgia visa liberalization dialogue requires specific benchmarks to protect fundamental rights and prevent discrimination. The deteriorating relations between Georgia and the West pose a risk to the country’s Euro-Atlantic goals. The potential end of visa-free access is a significant step in response to Georgia’s democratic decline.
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