European Assessment of Stalled Integration
The European Commission published its 2026 enlargement report on Nov. 4, stating that Georgia’s EU integration process remains stalled and the situation in the country has deteriorated further over the past year. According to the commission, Georgian authorities took no steps during the reporting period to meet nine recommendations set for the country as an EU candidate.
Due to continued democratic backsliding, the commission will no longer issue new recommendations on accession negotiation chapters for Georgia, except in areas requiring fundamental reforms. The report details a series of trends including the weakening of democratic institutions, restrictions on political and civil freedoms, problems with judicial independence, attempts to ban opposition parties, and no progress in fighting corruption.
On Nov. 4, EU Ambassador to Georgia Pawel Herczynski formally handed over the report to Georgian authorities. Deputy Foreign Minister Giorgi Zurabashvili received the document; he was appointed in November as the prime minister’s special representative for relations with Russia.
Failure to Meet Candidate Requirements
The nine recommendations set for Georgia included combating disinformation, aligning with EU foreign policy, overcoming political polarization, ensuring free and fair elections, strengthening parliament’s role, carrying out comprehensive judicial reform, fighting corruption, de-oligarchisation, and improving protection of fundamental rights.
Regarding foreign policy alignment, the commission noted that Georgia failed to fully align with EU sanctions against Russia. The report highlighted a growing number of direct flights between Georgia and Russia, and stated that Georgian companies have been included on EU sanctions lists.
The commission also criticized the government's handling of internal political dynamics. Authorities failed to carry out fundamental electoral reform despite recommendations made over several years. Legislative changes favored the ruling party during the Oct. 2025 municipal elections, which took place in a highly polarised and repressive environment that significantly undermined the competitiveness and transparency of the electoral process.
Most opposition parties boycotted the Oct. 2025 municipal elections. The commission expressed serious concern over the possible use of the judicial system for political purposes.
Legal Challenges to Opposition Parties
The report points specifically to proceedings in the Constitutional Court following a lawsuit by the ruling party seeking to ban five opposition parties. The commission stated that these proceedings pose a threat to the foundations of democracy in Georgia.
The assessment marks a significant tightening of the EU's stance on Tbilisi's progress toward membership, citing a comprehensive failure to implement required structural and political changes over the last year.