The Venice Commission is drawing erroneous conclusions without substantiation – Davit Matikashvili

Davit Matikashvili, a member of the parliamentary majority, commented on the opinion published by the Venice Commission, stating that the Commission's assessments are not based on facts.

"The Venice Commission's opinions contain repetitive, utterly vacuous rhetoric that is not grounded in facts but relies merely on perceptions rather than a proper analysis. This is the very commission that the United States withdrew from, precisely because it deemed the Commission's activities incompatible with U.S. interests," Matikashvili stated.

According to him, leading democratic nations around the world are enacting legislation aimed at preventing and limiting foreign interference in the politics of sovereign states. "It was precisely in this direction that the Parliament of Georgia took steps at the time, establishing a legislative framework designed to prevent interference. The Venice Commission is drawing erroneous conclusions—completely unfounded and lacking any basis in actual fact—thereby once again revealing an unhealthy interest in the legislation enacted in Georgia," the MP noted.

For context, the Venice Commission has published an opinion regarding the amendments made in March 2026 to the laws "On Grants" and "On Political Unions of Citizens," as well as to the Criminal Code and other related legislation.

According to the Venice Commission's assessment, these laws do not serve the objective of protecting and strengthening Georgia's sovereignty and safeguarding political parties against foreign influence and external interference. The Commission considers that this legislation imposes disproportionate and unnecessary restrictions on the fundamental rights and political freedoms of Georgian citizens—particularly regarding the freedoms of association and expression—and hinders the formation and continued existence of the political opposition.