Georgia's opposition appeals to EU amid election of anti-Western president

The four largest opposition forces in Georgia have appealed to the European Union against the backdrop of the approval of the Georgian Dream candidate and ex-footballer Mikheil Kavelashvili as the new president.

Source: This is stated in a joint appeal to the EU by Georgian political forces, as cited by Sova, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The letter is addressed to High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, and to foreign ministers of the EU member states.

It was signed by Nika Melia (Coalition for Change), Tina Bokuchava (Unity - National Movement), Mamuka Khazaradze (Strong Georgia), and Zaza Tavadze (Gakharia for Georgia).

In the appeal, Georgian opposition forces called on the European Union to declare "the self-proclaimed Bidzina [Ivanishvili’s] regime illegitimate (Ivanishvili is a powerful pro-Russian oligarch, the founder of the Georgian Dream – ed.).

The appeal states that Georgia is facing an unprecedented political crisis that requires immediate action from the European Union.

The regime's plan to elect Mikheil Kavelashvili as Georgia's sixth president even worsens the already difficult situation, the authors of the letter added.

The letter notes that Kavelashvili was one of the initiators of the law on "foreign agents"in the country and often engages in active anti-Western propaganda.

The opposition forces note that after being elected by the self-proclaimed and illegitimate parliament, Kavelashvili will enjoy neither independence nor legitimacy.

In this regard, the authors call for urgent action to support the Georgian people and protect European values:

• immediate and unconditional release of all detained politicians, activists and peaceful demonstrators;
• impose targeted sanctions on those responsible for undermining democracy, in particular Bidzina Ivanishvili and his entourage, who are involved in political repression.
• end visa-free travel and restrict visa regime for officials associated with the illegitimate government of the Georgian Dream;
• declare the "self-proclaimed regime of Bidzina Ivanishvili" illegitimate in all relevant EU statements.
• condemn violent acts against peaceful protesters, journalists and activists.

Background:

• Earlier on Saturday, the only candidate nominated by the ruling party, former footballer Mikheil Kavelashvili, was elected president of Georgia. For the first time in independent Georgia’s history, the election was not held by direct popular vote.
• The current president, Salome Zourabichvili, considers the vote illegitimate and does not recognise its results.

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