The French Parliament called for sanctions against Ivanishvili and his entourage.

The French National Assembly adopted a resolution calling for sanctions against the Georgian authorities for violating fundamental human rights, restricting freedom of expression, and using disproportionate force against peaceful protesters.

As "Caucasian Knot" reported, the European Commission admitted that Georgia could face a complete halt to its visa-free regime with the European Union. Due to the "systemic and targeted nature of the country's democratic backsliding," Brussels is ready to implement a new mechanism against it, which will come into force on 30 December 2025.

The Foreign Affairs Committee of the French National Assembly adopted a draft resolution sharply criticizing the Georgian government's policies and reaffirming support for Georgia's European course. Deputies approved the resolution by 68 votes, with 28 voting against, the National Assembly press service reported on its website.

In the resolution, France and European institutions express serious concern about the deterioration of the democratic situation in Georgia following the October 2024 parliamentary elections. The authors of the document point to numerous civil rights violations during these elections: pressure on voters, the use of administrative resources, biased media coverage of the campaign, and a decline in trust in the electoral system.

French MPs emphasized that Georgia, having received candidate status for EU membership in December 2023, is demonstrating a "significant setback" in the areas of the rule of law, judicial independence, and respect for fundamental human rights. The text mentions restrictions on freedom of speech, pressure on independent media, and repression against civil society and the political opposition.

The resolution pays special attention to laws on "foreign influence," which, according to European institutions, are used to pressure non-governmental organizations and activists. The authors of the document also cite the findings of European institutions, according to which Georgia is increasingly moving away from EU democratic standards.

The authors of the resolution demand the release of political prisoners, an end to the repression of demonstrators, the holding of free and fair elections, and a return to democratic standards in order to preserve Georgia's European prospects.

The resolution also expresses concern that Georgia "is being used as a platform to circumvent international sanctions imposed against Russia." Members of Parliament called on the European Union to take this into account when preparing the next sanctions package.

The resolution's authors called on European institutions to maintain the de facto freeze on Georgia's accession to the European Union until the political criteria are effectively met: respect for political pluralism and fundamental rights, such as freedom of expression, association, and assembly, as well as the holding of parliamentary elections that are free, fair, and in line with international standards.

The resolution specifically mentions the role of billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, founder of the Georgian Dream party. His European structures consider him a key figure who exerts undue influence on the country's political system.

French MPs propose considering the possibility of introducing personal sanctions against Ivanishvili and his entourage. Separately, they called on the French government to examine the conditions under which Bidzina Ivanishvili was awarded the Legion of Honor and to consider revoking this award.

The document also expresses support for Georgian society, especially youth, journalists, the university community, and participants in pro-European protests. Journalist Mzia Amaglobeli, who has become a symbol of resistance to restrictions on freedom of speech, is singled out for special mention.

Former Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili attended the hearings of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs Committee, Pirveli TV reports.

Georgian Opposition: The Noose Around Ivanishvili Is Tightening

The resolution adopted by the French Parliament imposing sanctions against representatives of the Georgian Dream party is viewed by the Georgian opposition as yet another serious political warning to Ivanishvili's team. The opposition claims that attitudes toward Bidzina Ivanishvili and his entourage in the West have changed dramatically and that his isolation is deepening. "Ivanishvili's entourage, of course, faces a very serious threat in the form of sanctions. They know full well that they have committed grave sins against this country, against our national and European interests, and for this they will pay a corresponding price – they will be further isolated from civilized society," said Grigol Gegelia, one of the leaders of Strong Georgia. The French resolution indicates that Bidzina Ivanishvili is already openly perceived in the West as a "force of Russian influence" in Georgia, according to Giorgi Butikashvili, a representative of the For Change coalition. In his assessment, talk of sanctions is the beginning of a new and more difficult stage for the ruling party.

"This resolution clearly shows that the attitude towards Bidzina Ivanishvili in France has changed, since the majority of MPs supported the resolution, this shows that Ivanishvili is already perceived in Georgia as a Russian force, a force of Russian influence, a so-called shadow ruler, which in the recent past was not so easy to recognize in France," Butikashvili said.

Representatives of the Georgian Dream called the adopted resolution absolutely hostile

Deputy Prime Minister Mamuka Mdinaradze criticized the resolution adopted The French National Assembly, declaring that it was "not worth a straw." He claims that such documents are not based on real facts and are often drawn up so superficially that "even the name of Georgia is incorrect."

"We have seen 10 resolutions from even higher-level platforms, and you know how these resolutions were later devalued. Therefore, a resolution has value when it is based on real facts. When even the name of Georgia as a state in resolutions is incorrect, we call it 'misleading.' Such documents are created with a single stroke of the hand, a single signature, and then they lose their value. The arguments used as a basis and arguments are so frivolous and unfair that they themselves devalue them," Mdinaradze said.

According to Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, the country's fifth president, Salome Zurabishvili is one of the co-organizers of hostile actions against Georgia.

"Ms. Salome has returned to her homeland. She found herself in the right place, where a resolution hostile to Georgia and the Georgian people was adopted. The picture we saw was natural. Zurabishvili is one of the co-organizers of hostile actions against her homeland," said Shalva Papuashvili.

Protesters in Georgia have been demanding new parliamentary elections and the release of political prisoners since November 28, 2024. Security forces carried out violent dispersals of the protests, using tear gas and water cannons, and detained protesters. Thousands of people have been subjected to administrative prosecution during the protests. The "Caucasian Knot" has prepared a report entitled "The Main Thing About the Persecution of Protest Participants in Georgia".