Georgia’s Constitutional Court has begun hearings in a lawsuit filed by 88 lawmakers from the ruling Georgian Dream-led majority seeking to ban five major opposition political groups. The lawsuit targets the United National Movement (UNM), Coalition for Change, Lelo/Strong Georgia, Federalists, and former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia’s For Georgia party.
In their lawsuit, Georgian Dream lawmakers accuse the opposition groups of pursuing unconstitutional objectives, undermining the legitimacy of elected authorities, and attempting to destabilize the country. The Constitutional Court accepted the case for substantive consideration in October, and hearings are ongoing, with the court having until June 2027 to rule on the case.
The proceedings have drawn international criticism, with critics warning that the proposed bans threaten democratic principles and political pluralism in Georgia.
Civil.ge has compiled some of the international reactions:
EU Parliament Adopts Resolution: The European Parliament adopted a resolution calling for the “immediate withdrawal” of the Georgian Dream’s constitutional lawsuit seeking to ban opposition parties, arguing that the proceedings amount to “eliminating legitimate political opposition” and are part of a broader strategy aimed at “turning Georgia into a one-party regime by eliminating political pluralism.” It says this follows the model of Russia and Belarus and “serves the Kremlin’s objective of keeping Georgia outside the European and Euro-Atlantic space.” Read in full here.
Joint Statement by MEPs McAllister, Ušakovs, and Juknevičienė: “We take note of Mr Kobakhidze’s call for a political dialogue with the European Union. Dialogue was never closed by Europe; it was emptied of meaning by Georgian Dream. In November 2024 the ruling party unilaterally suspended Georgia’s accession process, against its own Constitution and the will of its people. It then answered every recommendation from the EU institutions with new repressive laws, violence against peaceful protesters, and the imprisonment of opposition leaders and journalists. The European Parliament’s decision to limit formal contacts with the authorities was the consequence of these choices, not their cause. Our door has always remained open to the Georgian people, to civil society and to the democratic opposition. It will reopen to the authorities the day their actions, not their words, show a return to democracy, freedom and the European path. The timing of the proposal speaks for itself. It comes as the Constitutional Court opens hearings on Georgian Dream’s request to ban five opposition parties, including the last opposition party still represented in Parliament. A government that seeks to outlaw its political opponents cannot at the same time present itself as a credible partner for dialogue. This offer of political dialogue with the EU cannot be seen in any other way than a cover for dismantling political pluralism in Georgia […].”
Joint statement by the Council of Europe Congress co-Rapporteurs: “The Constitutional Court of Georgia’s examination of a request by members of the ruling party to ban five major opposition parties is deeply alarming. Such a ban could constitute a dangerous escalation and distance Georgia from its commitments under the European Charter of Local Self-Government and its Democracy at all levels of government cannot exist without political pluralism and effective checks on the concentration of powers. As we have already warned this year, the continued dismantlement of the foundations of Georgian democracy is a matter of grave concern. If the parties were banned, thousands of citizens could be prevented from participating in local democracy because of their political affiliation, as the Venice Commission recently alerted. Pluralism would de facto no longer exist in Georgian municipalities. We remain committed to supporting Georgia in fulfilling its obligations as a member State of the Council of Europe in safeguarding democracy, human rights and the rule of law at local level. We will follow the proceedings closely, as well as their implications for local democracy, to ensure that all Georgian citizens have a voice on matters closest to them.”
Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe: “Georgia’s Constitutional Court is due to begin hearings on an application by 88 parliamentarians from the governing majority to ban five opposition parties. Without prejudging the outcome of these proceedings and with full respect for the principles of sovereignty and judicial independence, I call on the governing majority to uphold political pluralism and preserve the space for political opposition. Political pluralism is essential to a healthy democracy and central to Georgia’s commitments as a member of the Council of Europe. […] A governing party that seeks to remove democratic checks on its power weakens the very country it seeks to serve. These proceedings take place against a backdrop of growing restrictions on civil society, independent media and freedom of peaceful assembly. Taken together, these developments risk undermining the checks and balances essential to democratic governance in Georgia.”
Christian Wigand, European Commission Spokesperson: “The EU is closely following these lawsuits to ban five opposition parties, including, of course, the latest developments in Georgia’s constitutional court in relation to this case. These developments, alongside recent legal amendments and earlier statements about banning opposition parties, suggest a troubling instrumentalisation of the justice system. This risks undermining fundamental freedoms, democratic pluralism and fair political competition. So we’re following this very closely, and we will continue to follow this lawsuit […]. What I can say in general terms is that we have been very vocal regarding the Georgian Dream’s actions to suppress political opposition, journalists and activists. They unfortunately try to keep on or continue to limit the civic space. Georgian authorities must immediately release unjustly detained politicians, journalists and activists and reverse repressive legislation.”
Gudrun Kugler, OSCE PA Vice-President: “Stop the Attempt to Ban Opposition Parties and Return to the Path of Democracy. I am deeply concerned by the proceedings that just began before Georgia’s Constitutional Court, seeking to ban five opposition parties at the initiative of members of parliament from the ruling Georgian Dream party. Political competition must be decided at the ballot box and through open democratic debate, not by eliminating political rivals through legal proceedings initiated by the governing majority. Banning political parties is an exceptional measure that must meet the highest democratic and legal standards. These proceedings are particularly troubling amid serious concerns about judicial independence, including concerns raised by the European Parliament. […] In my capacity as Vice-President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, I call on the Georgian authorities to withdraw this lawsuit and to end politically motivated prosecutions. […] I also call for the release of opposition leaders and others who have been arbitrarily detained or imprisoned for political reasons, and for full respect for the right to a fair trial […]”
Niklas Wagner, Director for Eastern Europe, South Caucasus and Black Sea Cooperation of the German Foreign Office: “We are deeply concerned regarding the court proceedings to ban five opposition parties in Georgia. Political pluralism is essential to democracy & crucial for EU accession.”
ALDE Party: “The ruling Georgian Dream party is seeking to ban five opposition parties, including ALDE Party member Lelo, part of the Strong Georgia coalition. If successful, the move could leave hundreds of thousands of voters in political limbo. The country’s liberal forces are joining together to fight back. On 25 October, several ALDE member parties in Georgia joined a protest campaign in Tbilisi under the banner of the Opposition Alliance, with a clear message: “Georgia without Ivanishvili. Georgia deserves better.” Lelo, which competed in Georgia’s disputed 2024 parliamentary elections as part of the Strong Georgia coalition, is now among the parties facing a ban. With the next parliamentary elections due in 2028, the move would sideline key political challengers and further restrict democratic competition. […] ALDE Party stands with Lelo and its liberal partners. As the Opposition Alliance takes its campaign to the streets, Georgia’s liberals are making clear that they will not accept a political system in which opposition can simply be banned. The fight for a free, democratic and European Georgia is far from over.”
Norwegian Helsinki Committee: “We condemn the Georgian Dream’s attempt to ban five opposition parties through the Constitutional Court. This comes amid a prolonged political crisis following the disputed 2024 parliamentary elections, widespread protests, repressive laws, restrictions on civil society and independent media and a growing number of political prisoners. […] Banning opposition voices will push the country further toward authoritarianism. The European countries and institutions must stand with the Georgian people and call for these efforts to be abandoned. Fundamental freedoms and Georgia’s international human rights commitments must be respected. Political opposition, civil society groups and independent voices must be free to operate without fear of intimidation.”
More to follow…
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