On attempts by the ruling party Georgian Dream to ban opposition parties in Georgia
B-10-2026-0448
on behalf of the Renew Group · Rapporteur: Urmas Paet, Svenja Hahn, Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová, Jan-Christoph Oetjen, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, Malik Azmani, Karin Karlsbro, Lucia Yar, Ľubica Karvašová, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Dan Barna, Engin Eroglu, Helmut Brandstätter, Anna Stürgkh, Lukas Sieper, Petras Auštrevičius, Hilde Vautmans, Dainius Žalimas, Nathalie Loiseau
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Parliament's resolution condemns attempts by the ruling party Georgian Dream to ban opposition parties in Georgia and the repression of political opponents, civil society and media.¶¶¶ It calls on the Georgian authorities to repeal restrictive laws, stop undermining political pluralism and release those imprisoned on politically motivated grounds.¶¶¶ It asks EU member states to impose targeted sanctions, including an EU-wide visa ban, on representatives of the regime and its enablers.¶ It reaffirms support for the Georgian people and encourages the EU and member states to protect activists, youth, journalists and opposition figures at risk.¶
Key points
- Parliament strongly condemns the adoption of restrictive legislation curtailing fundamental freedoms and suppressing democratic activity, civic protests and dissent, and urges the Georgian authorities to repeal these laws immediately and unconditionally.¶
- It is alarmed by attempts to prohibit opposition parties through constitutional, criminal or administrative proceedings, and says the repeated withdrawal and refiling of the constitutional lawsuit resets the Constitutional Court's nine-month deadline to keep the opposition under permanent threat of dissolution.¶
- It calls on the Georgian authorities to refrain from undermining political pluralism and freedom of expression and to let opposition parties organise, campaign and take part in political life without undue interference.¶
- It calls for full cooperation with the Venice Commission and implementation of its relevant recommendations.
- It expresses deep concern about the persecution and imprisonment of opposition leaders, restrictions on civil society and independent media, and punitive measures against peaceful activists, students and artists.¶
- It condemns imprisonment on politically motivated grounds as incompatible with Georgia's international obligations, including under the EU–Georgia Association Agreement and Georgia's EU candidate status, and reiterates its demand for immediate release.¶
- It condemns the closure of German foundations' offices due to Georgia's grant rules.¶
- It reaffirms support for the Georgian people and their commitment to a democratic European future, and encourages the EU and member states to support and protect and raise individual cases of Georgian activists, youth, journalists and opposition figures at risk.¶
- It calls on EU member states to maintain pressure by all means available and impose targeted sanctions, including an EU-wide visa ban, on representatives of the regime and its enablers, including judges and other judicial officials, responsible for politically motivated arrests, prosecutions and violent repression.¶
Who is affected
- The Georgian authorities, which are urged to repeal restrictive laws and stop undermining political pluralism.¶¶
- Opposition parties in Georgia, five of which are at risk of being banned from political activity.¶
- Opposition politicians, activists, journalists, peaceful protesters, students and artists, many of whom are imprisoned or face repression.¶¶
- EU member states, which are asked to impose targeted sanctions, including an EU-wide visa ban.¶
- Representatives of the Georgian regime and its enablers, including judges and other judicial officials, who would be subject to sanctions.