The US authorities intend to impose sanctions against the founder and honorary chairman of the Georgian ruling party "Georgian Dream - Democratic Georgia". Bidzina Ivanishvili, who is said to have contributed to the development of relations between his country and Russia, reported the radio station "Voice of America".
According to her, the American authorities believe that Ivanishvili's actions allegedly contributed to the easier access of Russian companies to the Georgian market, and also hindered Tbilisi's course towards joining the EU and NATO. If sanctions are imposed, a politician's US assets (if any) will be frozen, and US citizens and companies will be barred from doing business with him. In addition, Ivanishvili may be barred from entering the United States.
According to the radio station, the planned restrictions against Ivanishvili are explained by the fact that the US administration is frustrated by the failed attempts to force the Georgian authorities to repeal the law on foreign agents, which caused a sharp reaction from Washington and Brussels. The exact moment of the introduction of sanctions against the founder of the Georgian ruling party has not been revealed.
Georgia's relations with the United States and the EU have deteriorated since the Georgian parliament passed a law on foreign agents in May. The State Department said it is imposing visa sanctions against dozens of Georgian citizens, including members of the government, parliament, their relatives and law enforcement officials, in connection with the passed law. US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced in July the decision to suspend a more than $95 million aid program to Tbilisi over the Foreign Agents Act. For the same reason, the EU froze EUR 30 million that were planned to be allocated to the Georgian Ministry of Defense.
On October 26, parliamentary elections will be held in Georgia. The ruling party, which has been in power for 12 years, will try to win for the fourth time. Its main rival is the United National Movement party. The party that receives the most votes will nominate a candidate for Prime Minister who will form the government.