**US Congress Steps Up Efforts to Sanction Ivanishvili Regime**
The United National Movement, a major opposition party in Georgia, is calling on the US Congress to take concrete steps against the government of Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili. The move comes as the US considers introducing new legislation aimed at restricting ties with states declared enemies of America.
Tina Bokuchava, chairwoman of the United National Movement, believes that sanctioning Ivanishvili and his entourage would give the US more leverage against the Georgian government. This is crucial, according to her, because the current regime in Tbilisi cooperates not only with Russia but also with Iran, a state declared an enemy of the US.
**Cooperation with Enemies of the US**
The cooperation between Georgia’s Ivanishvili regime and states hostile to America has been a point of contention for years. Critics argue that this alliance undermines Georgia’s efforts to integrate into Western institutions, such as the European Union and NATO.
Bokuchava emphasized the importance of addressing this issue, stating that “the Euro-Atlantic future” of Georgia depends on it. She pointed out that Congressman Joe Wilson, a key figure in the US Congress, has been highlighting the need for stronger ties between the US and Georgia to counterbalance the influence of hostile states.
**MEGOBARI Act: A New Tool Against Ivanishvili Regime**
The MEGOBARI Act is a proposed legislation aimed at restricting cooperation with states that threaten American interests. Bokuchava believes that this law would provide an effective tool for countering the influence of hostile regimes, including that of Prime Minister Ivanishvili.
By sanctioning Ivanishvili and his team, the US Congress can exert more pressure on the Georgian government to align its policies with those of Western nations. This is a crucial step in promoting democratic values and ensuring that Georgia remains committed to its Euro-Atlantic future.
As Bokuchava noted, “this discussion is very important in the lower house of the US Congress.” The outcome will have significant implications for the region, as it directly affects the balance of power between Western nations and those cooperating with hostile states.
