Skip to content
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION (2026/2913(RSP))

On attempts by the ruling party Georgian Dream to ban opposition parties in Georgia

B-10-2026-0457

on behalf of the PPE Group · Rapporteur: Ingeborg Ter Laak, Rasa Juknevičienė, Isabel Wiseler-Lima, David McAllister, Željana Zovko, Tomas Tobé, Sebastião Bugalho, Antonio López-Istúriz White, Loucas Fourlas, Lukas Mandl, Krzysztof Brejza, Reinhold Lopatka, Andrey Kovatchev, Jan Farský, Michał Wawrykiewicz, Liudas Mažylis, Danuše Nerudová, Ana Miguel Pedro, Łukasz Kohut, Tomáš Zdechovský, Vangelis Meimarakis, Inese Vaidere

Official HTML ↗ PDF DOCX
✦ In shortFull text
✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 8 Oct 2026

Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

Parliament's resolution condemns attempts by the ruling Georgian Dream party to ban opposition parties in Georgia and demands the withdrawal of constitutional claim No 1979. It calls for the repeal of laws restricting parties and individuals linked to banned parties, and for an end to obstruction of European political foundations. It supports the Venice Commission opinions of 15 July and 26 August 2026 and asks Georgian authorities to implement their recommendations. It regrets the EU's lack of action and repeats its call for targeted sanctions on named Georgian officials. It reaffirms support for the European aspirations of the Georgian people and warns that banning parties makes EU accession impossible.

Key points

  1. Strongly condemns the attempt to outlaw Georgia's opposition parties and demands immediate withdrawal of constitutional claim No 1979.
  2. Stresses that a functioning political opposition is an indispensable pillar of democracy and that eliminating it through judicial means is incompatible with democracy.
  3. Calls for repeal of provisions enabling disproportionate restrictions on parties and individuals associated with prohibited parties.
  4. Condemns the misuse of legislation and state institutions to silence political opponents.
  5. Deplores the forced closure of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation's office and calls to end obstruction of European political foundations.
  6. Fully supports the Venice Commission opinions of 15 July and 26 August 2026 and considers the attempt to ban political parties incompatible with international law.
  7. Calls on Georgian authorities to swiftly implement the Venice Commission's recommendations.
  8. Regrets the persistent lack of action by the EU and most Member States to ensure tangible consequences for the deteriorating situation in Georgia.
  9. Reiterates its call for targeted sanctions on those responsible for democratic backsliding and political persecution, first and foremost Bidzina Ivanishvili, Irakli Kobakhidze, Shalva Papuashvili and Kakha Kaladze.
  10. Reiterates its unwavering support for the European aspirations of the Georgian people.
  11. Recalls its repeated warnings that any attempt to ban established political parties alienates Georgia from the EU and makes any move towards EU accession impossible.

Who is affected

  • Georgian Dream-controlled Parliament and Georgian authorities: called on to withdraw claim No 1979, repeal restrictive laws and implement Venice Commission recommendations.
  • Five opposition parties (United National Movement, Coalition for Change, Strong Georgia – Lelo, the Federalists, 'For Georgia'): targeted by constitutional claim No 1979.
  • EU and Member States: criticised for lack of action; called on to impose targeted sanctions on named Georgian officials.
  • Konrad Adenauer Foundation and other European political foundations: affected by forced closure of Tbilisi office and obstruction.

Figures and deadlines

  • 88 members of the Georgian Dream-controlled Parliament lodged constitutional claim No 1979.
  • Five opposition parties are targeted by the claim.
  • New judges appointed to the Constitutional Court on 23 September 2026.
  • Legislation adopted in October 2025 and March 2026 extends party-ban to associated parties and individuals.
  • Eight-year party-membership ban imposed on persons linked to foreign-interest organisations.
  • Konrad Adenauer Foundation forced to close its Tbilisi office on 30 September 2026.
  • Venice Commission opinions of 15 July and 26 August 2026 found restrictions incompatible with international standards.