Shortly before the crucial elections in Georgia, we see confrontation and violence reaching extremely dangerous levels, writes MEP Viola von Cramon in her letter “On Mr Saakashvili’s intended return to Georgia”.

“Escalating the situation is the last thing Georgia and its people need. In such a political environment, Mr. Saakashvili’s intention to return to Georgia on the day of the elections will not serve the interests of Georgia.

While I fully understand his desire to be in the country of his origin, such a move, for the time being, will further deepen the crisis, create unnecessary tension, and damage precarious political processes as well as the democratic image of the country. The latter has recently already taken a serious hit by the Georgian Dream’s harmful decisions.

The European Union does not have the resources and desire to mediate one more unnecessary political crisis that will inevitably ensue in case of Mr. Saakashvili’s return. My colleagues and I at the European Parliament have clearly communicated this with the former president of Georgia during the recent meetings. This position is also widely shared by the other EU institutions”, - wrote the MEP.