The European Union may consider temporarily suspending the visa-free regime with Georgia, reports "Reuters".
This is possible if the parliamentary elections on October 26 in the candidate country for EU membership are not free, fair and peaceful, warned the EU ambassador in Tbilisi.
Georgia's relations with the West have deteriorated in recent months - the US and European countries accuse the Georgian government of authoritarian and pro-Russian tendencies.
"All options are on the table, including a temporary suspension of the visa-free regime with Georgia," said EU Ambassador to Georgia Pavel Herchinski.
Since 2017, citizens of Georgia can visit the European Schengen area without a visa for a period of up to 90 days.
If Georgia's elections are not deemed free and fair, Herczynski noted, the EU could take measures similar to those adopted against Belarus, an authoritarian ally of Russia that is under sanctions after the 2020 elections, which Western countries and Belarusian opposition activists claim they are forged.
Although the ruling party "Georgian Dream" insists it wants the South Caucasian country to join both the EU and NATO, it has taken steps to deepen relations with Russia over the past two years.
Billionaire ex-prime minister Bidzina Ivanishvili, who is considered the most powerful person in Georgia, accused the West of trying to drag his country into a war with Russia.
Last week, Ivanishvili suggested that Tbilisi apologize for a brief war with Russia in 2008 that led to Moscow recognizing the independence of two rebel Georgian regions.
The EU gave Georgia candidate status in December last year, but its bid was effectively frozen after Tbilisi approved a law on foreign agents in June that the West says is authoritarian and Russian-inspired.
Western countries have also criticized the "family values" bill approved by lawmakers this week, which restricts the rights of the LGBT community.
Opinion polls show the ruling party remains the most popular party, although it has lost ground since 2020, when it won a slim majority.