In the context of Georgia’s upcoming legislative elections on 26 October 2024, representatives of the Georgian National Platform of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum (EaP CSF) conducted advocacy meetings in Brussels on 15-16 October 2024.
The delegation included Lasha Tugushi (Director, Liberal Academy Tbilisi and EaP CSF Steering Committee Co-Chair), Ekaterine Tsimakuridze (Director, Democracy Index, and EaP CSF Working Group 1 co-coordinator), and Ketevan Chachava (Executive Director, Center for Development and Democracy, and EaP CSF Working Group 1 co-coordinator in Georgia).
During these meetings, the delegation engaged with key EU stakeholders—including the European Commission (DG NEAR), the European External Action Service (EEAS), the European Parliament (DG EXPO), and Members of the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), representatives from seven EU member states (COEST delegates), and Brussels-based think tanks and organisations (gathered through a public roundtable discussion).
The discussions focused on the challenges faced by Georgian civil society, particularly the impact of the “transparency of foreign influence” law, the pre-election environment, and Georgia’s EU integration process.
Conclusions
Despite the numerous challenges it faces, Georgian civil society remains resilient. Prior to legislative elections, their efforts focus on ensuring free, fair and transparent elections, upholding an independent judiciary and safeguarding human rights.
Five urgent steps are seen as necessary to bring Georgia back on its European path:
1) Ensure free, fair and transparent elections on 26 October;
2) Abolish the law on the transparency of foreign influence;
3) Abolish the anti-LGBTQI+ legislative package;
4) Put an end to the anti-civil society rhetoric and “us versus them” discourse;
5) Commit to a genuine reform process in line with EU’s nine recommendations for Georgia.
Read the report
The full report can be downloaded here.
