Georgia's parliamentary delegation walked out of the 33rd session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in The Hague after lawmakers adopted the Hague Declaration and a separate resolution criticizing the country's democratic trajectory and electoral process.

The Georgian delegation left the chamber after failing to remove references critical of the government from the final declaration and refused to participate in the vote, The Caspian Post reports via News Georgia.

"Our delegation will not participate in the vote as a sign of protest," said Nikoloz Samkharadze, chairman of the Georgian Parliament's Foreign Relations Committee. He accused the declaration of distorting the situation in Georgia and ignoring attacks on state institutions while misrepresenting the findings of election observers.

Delegation member Levan Makhashvili argued that the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) had never officially declared Georgia's elections fraudulent. He also accused the Parliamentary Assembly of shifting from a platform for security dialogue to "an instrument of selective political persecution."

The walkout drew criticism from OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Pere Joan Pons, who called the decision disappointing.

"Leaving seats empty is not the best solution. Democracy is about staying together and resolving disagreements through dialogue," he said.

Back in Tbilisi, Georgia's leadership backed the delegation's decision. President Mikheil Kavelashvili described the walkout as "a worthy response," while Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili called the adoption of the documents "a scandal" and argued that international institutions were increasingly being used for political confrontation.

The controversy centered on the Hague Declaration and a separate resolution titled "Protecting Free Elections and Fundamental Freedoms in Georgia," introduced by US Congressman Joe Wilson.

The documents raise concerns about what they describe as democratic backsliding in Georgia, citing pressure on civil society, independent media and the political opposition. They also criticize the Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence, restrictions on protests, and alleged irregularities during the 2024 parliamentary and 2025 local elections.

The resolution calls for the release of individuals it describes as political prisoners, reforms to ensure free and fair elections, and stronger protections for democratic institutions. It also urges the international community not to recognize future Georgian elections unless they are certified by independent observers as free and democratic.

At the same time, the declaration reaffirms the OSCE's support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, condemns Russia's continued occupation of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and reiterates support for democratic governance and fundamental freedoms in the country.