On October 21, hearings began at Georgia’s Constitutional Court in Batumi on Georgian Dream’s constitutional complaint seeking to ban political parties.
In its complaint, Georgian Dream is seeking to have the activities of all five major opposition political parties declared unconstitutional and to have them banned: “United National Movement,” “Coalition for Change Gvaramia Melia Girchi Droa,” “Strong Georgia – Lelo, For the People, For Freedom!”, “Federalist Party”, “Gakharia For Georgia”.
The case will be heard by the Plenum of Georgia’s Constitutional Court on October 21, 22 and 23. The panel consists of judges:
Revaz Nadaraia [presiding over the hearings]
Eva Gotsiridze
Giorgi Tevdorashvili
Goga Kikilashvili
Sergo Metopishvili
Giorgi Modebadze
Vasil Roinishvili [the judge rapporteur]
On October 13, udge Manana Kobakhidze has resigned after her request to recuse herself from the case concerning the ban on political parties was denied. Her term as a judge was due to expire in February 2027.
On October 21, Georgian CSOs issued a statement concerning the proceedings at the Constitutional Court.
They described the move as “a new and extremely serious stage in the country’s autocratisation” that “will formally establish a one-party dictatorship”.
Media outlets are not allowed to record or photograph the hearings.
The hearings are livestreamed on the court’s YouTube channel, while only Georgia’s Public Broadcaster is permitted to work with cameras in the courtroom.
According to the earlier information, journalists from other media outlets would be allowed to enter the courtroom and attend the hearings, but recording and photographing would be prohibited. Some of independent media journalists managed to enter the court room, however, Batumelebi’s journalist was not allowed to attend the hearing, with the court citing a lack of available seats.
People have gathered outside the court to protest the proposed ban on opposition parties.
