The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe calls on Georgia to hold new elections in the coming months, release political prisoners, and continue on the path of Eurointegration

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has adopted a resolution calling on Georgia to hold new elections in the coming months. The vote took place during a session of PACE.

Out of 134 members, 114 supported the resolution, 13 opposed it, and 7 abstained.

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has decided to ratify the mandate of Georgia's delegation until April 2025, but with certain conditions, given the review of the delegation’s mandates and the overall situation in the country.

"[PACE strongly demands that Georgian officials immediately initiate an inclusive process involving all relevant parties and social actors, including the ruling majority, opposition, and civil society, to urgently address the shortcomings and violations observed in the last parliamentary elections and create an electoral environment that will establish the necessary conditions for truly democratic new parliamentary elections to be held in the coming months.

[PACE strongly urges Georgian officials to] take immediate and effective steps to enable Georgia to resume its European integration path, in line with the European aspirations of the people, and expedite the necessary reforms;

[PACE strongly urges Georgian officials to] immediately end police brutality and human rights violations, effectively investigate these incidents, and stop the misuse of judicial processes for the purpose of detaining or retaliating against demonstrators, journalists, and civil society leaders, and fully respect the rights to freedom of expression and assembly…

[PACE strongly urges Georgian officials to] release all political prisoners by the April 2025 session of the Assembly," the resolution states.