Salome Zourabichvili: I express solidarity with opposition forces whose constitutional right to political participation is being restricted

“I condemn the Georgian Dream’s decision to ban the main opposition parties, a move that seeks to turn Georgia into a Russian-style authoritarian regime,” former President Salome Zourabichvili wrote on social media.

According to her, such persecution of political opponents not only undermines pluralism but also threatens the country’s social cohesion and statehood.

“The regime is systematically imposing new restrictions every day to pave the way for full authoritarian consolidation. Today, a united and firm voice must be heard from Georgia against the ban on opposition parties: this is unacceptable! Persecuting opponents not only destroys multi-party democracy but also dismantles society and destroys the state. I express solidarity with all opposition forces whose constitutional right to free expression and political participation is being restricted,” Zourabichvili wrote.

The Georgian Parliament Speaker, Shalva Papuashvili, announced today that the Georgian Dream faction, along with the political groups People’s Power and the European Socialists, has submitted a constitutional lawsuit requesting that three opposition parties be declared unconstitutional and banned. These include: United National Movement, Coalition for Change and Strong Georgia–Lelo.

Papuashvili also stated that Droa, Girchi – More Freedom, Strategy Agmashenebeli, European Georgia, Federalists’ Party, and the Republican Party currently lack significant influence due to their size and organisational structure and therefore present no immediate need for a ban.