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According to AnewZ, the European Union (EU) has said an initiative to ban five major opposition parties in Georgia threatens political freedoms and fair competition. Georgia’s Constitutional Court is set to hear the case from October 21 to 23.
As pressure from Brussels mounts, the European Parliament has called for sanctions against four senior representatives of the ruling Georgian Dream party.
The case was brought by 88 Georgian Dream lawmakers against the parties Unity – National Movement, Coalition for Change, Strong Georgia, the Federalists Party and Gakharia – For Georgia. The court’s decision could determine whether the five parties may continue operating legally.
European Commission spokesperson Christian Wigand said the EU was closely monitoring the case, recent legislative amendments and earlier statements by Georgian officials about plans to ban opposition parties. Wigand said these developments pointed to “the worrying instrumentalisation of the judiciary” and warned of risks to fundamental freedoms, political pluralism and fair competition.
European Parliament calls for sanctions
On October 8, the European Parliament adopted a resolution condemning the proposed bans and calling for the constitutional case to be withdrawn.
Lawmakers also called for targeted sanctions and visa bans against those responsible for democratic backsliding and political persecution. The resolution specifically named Georgian Dream honorary chairman Bidzina Ivanishvili, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili and Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze.
The resolution passed with 445 votes in favour and 37 against, while 97 lawmakers abstained. It said banning established opposition parties could push Georgia further away from the EU and harm its prospects for membership.
The European Commission has also criticised restrictions on journalists and activists. Commenting on journalist Vakho Sanaia’s 30-day administrative detention, Wigand called for the release of people he said had been unjustly detained and for repressive legislation to be repealed.
Georgian Dream defends bid to ban parties
Georgian Dream argues that the five opposition parties threaten the country’s constitutional order and national interests. The case cites provisions prohibiting parties that seek to overthrow the constitutional order, undermine Georgia’s independence or violate its territorial integrity.
The ruling party points to the opposition’s refusal to recognise the results of the 2024 parliamentary elections, calls for Western sanctions against Georgian officials and actions it describes as subversive against the state.
The five parties have taken different positions on parliament. Gakharia – For Georgia took its seats after the 2024 elections and continues to participate in the legislature. Unity – National Movement, Coalition for Change and Strong Georgia rejected the election results and boycotted parliament.
This difference raises questions about Georgian Dream’s claim that all five parties reject parliament’s legitimacy. The ruling party nevertheless says their broader activities threaten the country’s constitutional order and national interests.
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said the central issue was whether the parties recognised Georgia’s constitutional order and the legitimacy of state institutions. Papuashvili, defending the proposed measures, cited party bans in Ukraine and Moldova and said democracies should be able to protect themselves.
The government’s legal case also draws on findings by a parliamentary investigative commission that examined alleged violations during previous administrations.
Proposed bans could affect 784,820 voters
The proposed bans could remove some of Georgia’s largest opposition forces from political competition. Four of the targeted parties passed the five percent threshold in the disputed 2024 parliamentary elections.
Official data from the Central Election Commission show that 784,820 voters, or 37.79% of those who cast ballots, supported the four political forces.
Several opposition parties rejected the election results and have continued to question the legitimacy of the parliament formed after the vote. Georgian Dream says the opposition has lost public trust by refusing to recognise the results and initially boycotting parliament.
Opposition representatives say the case risks excluding major political forces from elections and depriving voters of the opportunity to determine their future at the ballot box.
