**Georgia’s Authoritarian Slide: MEP Rasa Juknevičienė Slams EU Inaction**
In a scathing post on her X page, European Parliament rapporteur on Georgia, MEP Rasa Juknevičienė, has condemned the imprisonment of Nika Gvaramia, the third opposition leader to be jailed in the country. According to Juknevičienė, this latest development is a stark reminder that Georgia is “sinking deeper into authoritarianism every day.”
Gvaramia’s imprisonment follows a pattern of intimidation and repression by the “Georgian Dream” (GD) regime against opposition leaders who dare to challenge their authority. The GD commission, which has been widely criticized as illegitimate, has been accused of being nothing more than a tool for the ruling party to silence its critics.
Juknevičienė’s statement highlights the EU’s inaction in the face of Georgia’s authoritarian slide. “It’s disgraceful how little EU Member States are doing in response EU Council,” she wrote. The MEP is calling on the EU to impose sanctions on GD leader, Bidzina Ivanishvili, and his enablers.
**The Authoritarian Trend**
Georgia’s descent into authoritarianism has been a gradual process over the years. The country’s democratic institutions have been eroded, and the rule of law has been compromised. The jailing of opposition leaders, including Gvaramia, is a clear indication that the GD regime has no intention of respecting the rights of its citizens.
Juknevičienė’s comments are not the first to express concern about Georgia’s authoritarian trend. Many human rights organizations and international observers have also sounded the alarm. However, the EU’s inaction has been criticized as a lack of leadership on the part of Europe’s largest economic bloc.
**Sanctions Now!**
The call for sanctions on Ivanishvili and his enablers is growing louder. MEP Juknevičienė’s statement echoes the demands of many Georgians who are tired of living in a country where the rule of law no longer applies. The EU must take a stronger stance against Georgia’s authoritarian regime and support the country’s democratic institutions.
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