Germany pushes EU sanctions against Georgia, bypassing Hungary, Spiegel reports
Photo: Germany promotes EU sanctions against the Georgian authorities (flick com libereurope)
The German Ministry of Foreign Affairs is pushing forward a plan for EU sanctions against the Georgian government. The restrictions are being proposed to bypass Hungary's veto, reports Spiegel.
The issue of sanctions against Georgia will be discussed at the EU foreign ministers' meeting on December 16. Hungary is expected to oppose the sanctions, but unanimity is required for this decision.
Spiegel, citing sources in diplomatic circles, suggests that Hungary's veto could be bypassed by forming a "coalition of the willing." In such a case, sanctions could be imposed on specific individuals, similar to the EU's visa restrictions on members of the pro-Russian ruling party, Georgian Dream.
The publication adds that this plan was discussed by representatives from the foreign ministries of Germany, Poland, and France during a Weimar Triangle meeting at the beginning of December.
Presidential elections in Georgia
On Saturday, December 14, Georgia's electoral college voted in a new president. This marks the first time the Georgian president is chosen by an electoral college rather than a popular vote.
The only candidate for the presidency was former footballer Mikheil Kavelashvili, nominated by the pro-Russian party, Georgian Dream.
Kavelashvili holds anti-Western views and secured a seat in parliament as number 18 on the Georgian Dream list. A former professional footballer, he played for the national team and several clubs, including Manchester City.
The current President of Georgia, Salome Zourabishvili, does not recognize the election results and has stated that she has no intention of leaving her position.
Meanwhile, protests continue in Georgia, with participants rejecting the legitimacy of both parliamentary and presidential elections.
