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ALDE urges EU sanctions following German foundations' exit from Georgia

Georgiatoday.Ge • October 4, 2026

The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) has urged the European Union to impose targeted sanctions on those responsible for repression and democratic backsliding in Georgia, following the closure of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation’s Tbilisi office.

In an October 2 letter to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and Commissioner Marta Kos, ALDE president Svenja Hahn and European Liberal Forum president Jan-Christoph Oetjen called for a stronger European response.

Based on the letter, Georgian authorities rejected the foundation’s grant application and made further operations conditional on alignment with government priorities. The signatories said these conditions prevented it from continuing its independent work.

They described the closure as part of broader restrictions on civil society and repression targeting protesters, opposition figures and journalists. They also argued that developments in Georgia put the credibility of EU enlargement policy at stake.

The Friedrich Naumann Foundation announced on October 2 that it had ceased operations in Georgia and closed its Tbilisi office on September 30. It said authorities had rejected its application on July 28.

The Konrad Adenauer Foundation also closed its Tbilisi representation on September 30, Netgazeti reported.

Related story: German ambassador: All four political foundations forced to halt work in Georgia

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ALDE Party Calls for EU Sanctions Over Repression in Georgia The ALDE Party has urged the EU to impose targeted sanctions against individuals responsible for repression in Georgia, following the closure of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation's Tbilisi office. The foundation ceased operations after Georgian authorities rejected its grant application, requiring alignment with government priorities. This closure is viewed as part of a broader crackdown on civil society, affecting independent voices, journalists, and opposition figures. The ALDE leaders stated that these actions undermine the credibility of EU enlargement policy and the commitment to democracy in candidate countries. They emphasized the need for a strong European response to prevent further escalation. As of October 1, four German political foundations have halted operations in Georgia due to similar pressures from the government. 2 sources 46

ALDE urges EU sanctions following German foundations' exit from Georgia

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