**Global Community Condemns Georgian Government’s Authoritarian Tendencies**
A recent resolution adopted by the International Democracy Union (IDU) at a forum in Brussels has sparked international outrage against the Georgian Dream government’s increasing authoritarianism. The resolution, tabled by Georgia’s opposition United National Movement (UNM), condemns the GD-led government for its repression of civil society, alignment with Russia, and use of terror against citizens.
**Call to Action: Free and Fair Elections**
The IDU’s resolution urges the Georgian Dream government to set a specific date for free and fair parliamentary elections. It also demands that the government immediately halt all repressive legislation and cease using terror against its own citizens, civil society organizations, independent media, and political opponents. The international community is called upon to investigate officials responsible for targeting civil society and political opponents.
**Targeting Ivanishvili’s Assets**
Most notably, the resolution directly targets Bidzina Ivanishvili, the GD’s honorary chairman and principal powerbroker, urging democratic governments to suspend financial cooperation with the GD government until new parliamentary elections are held. The IDU calls for coordinated sanctions on Ivanishvili, his family, companies, and enablers, including freezing all of his assets.
**Global Isolation Mounts**
Georgia is increasingly facing international isolation. A group of European lawmakers and members of the U.S. Helsinki Commission recently issued a letter to Portugal’s Prime Minister urging a ban on Georgian Dream officials from attending the upcoming OSCE Parliamentary Assembly session. This move follows earlier exclusion of GD officials from the EU’s informal “Gymnich” meeting held in Warsaw.
**Western Partners Resort to Targeted Sanctions**
The resolution reflects growing international concern over Georgia’s democratic regression. Western partners have increasingly resorted to targeted financial sanctions and travel bans against Georgian officials deemed responsible for undermining democratic norms. The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the bipartisan MEGOBARI Act, which mandates sanctions on GD officials involved in significant corruption or violence intended to obstruct Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations.
**Key Players**
* International Democracy Union (IDU)
* European People’s Party (EPP) and the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR)
* Georgian Dream government
* Bidzina Ivanishvili, honorary chairman and principal powerbroker of GD
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