Georgian Dream Demands Ban On Three Largest Opposition Parties

"Shalva Papuashvili said the parties "practically continuously deny both the domestic-political and foreign-political legitimacy of the current government and the ruling political party of Georgia and, accordingly, its constitutionality." The three parties -- Coalition for Change, United National Movement, and the Strong Georgia-Lelo bloc -- pose "a real threat to the constitutional order," Papuashvili said. "Our lawsuit presents evidence that these political parties are driven by unconstitutional goals," Papuashvili said."

"Papuashvili said the decision was also taken based on the size and influence of the three parties. He noted that smaller allied groups were not included, but that could change."Their potential unconstitutionality could be examined later if they gain significant influence over the political process," Papuashvili said. Irakli Kupradze, a senior member of Strong Georgia, was cited by local media as calling the lawsuit "a decisive blow to democracy" and vowing to resist it."

"Georgia, an EU candidate nation, has seen its relationship with the bloc deteriorate since Tbilisi adopted anti-LGBT legislation and a so-called foreign agent law last year. The relationship eroded further after parliamentary elections in October 2024 in which the Georgian Dream party held on to power and then decided to halt EU accession talks while adopting what many -- including Brussels -- see as Russia-friendly policies."

The ruling Georgian Dream party will ask the Constitutional Court to outlaw the three largest opposition parties, accusing them of continuously denying government legitimacy and constitutionality and posing a real threat to the constitutional order. The targeted groups are Coalition for Change, United National Movement, and the Strong Georgia-Lelo bloc. The decision cites the parties' size and influence; smaller allied groups were excluded but could be examined if they gain influence. A senior opposition member labeled the lawsuit a decisive blow to democracy. Georgia's EU relations have deteriorated amid controversial laws, disputed elections, accession suspension, protests and arrests.

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