Georgia court hears bid to ban pro-EU opposition

Georgia's Constitutional Court opened hearings Wednesday on a ruling-party bid to ban five pro-Europe opposition parties, a case critics say threatens democratic pluralism in the country.

The lawsuit was brought by 88 lawmakers from the ruling Georgian Dream party. It accuses opposition parties of seeking to overthrow the constitutional order and undermine Georgia's independence, allegations the opposition rejects.

The case targets the United National Movement of jailed former president Mikheil Saakashvili, Coalition for Change, Lelo-Strong Georgia, the Federalists and former prime minister Giorgi Gakharia's For Georgia party.

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said ahead of the hearing that the parties were “inherently unconstitutional”. UNM leader Ana Tsitlidze said outside the court that the case was directed against Georgia's sovereignty and freedom.

The hearing began in Batumi, the seat of the constitutional court. The court has until June 2027 to issue its decision. Opposition parties have announced a major protest rally for November 28.

The European Commission warned Monday that the proceedings pointed to a worrying use of the judicial system and put fundamental freedoms, democratic pluralism and fair political competition at risk. Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset also warned that the hearings were taking place amid growing restrictions on civil society, independent media and peaceful assembly.

Georgia has been in a prolonged political crisis since disputed parliamentary elections in 2024 and the government's decision to suspend efforts to open European Union accession talks until at least 2028. The EU says democratic backsliding has brought Georgia's accession process to an effective halt. Georgian Dream rejects the criticism and says its opponents are trying to destabilise the country.