If criticizing the government and questioning the legitimacy of elections constitute grounds for banning a party, then political pluralism in Georgia has come to an end, and a one-party dictatorship has taken hold — Ana Tsitlidze
According to Ana Tsitlidze, a representative of the "United National Movement," the lawsuit seeking to ban five political parties lacks legal argumentation and is aimed at eliminating political opponents.
Tsitlidze stated this at the Constitutional Court while presenting the arguments on behalf of the respondent.
She noted that the court is considering not only the potential ban on five political parties but also where the line is drawn between upholding the constitutional order and the use of state authority against political opponents.
"The lawsuit presented by the plaintiff lacks any legal basis; it is a political manipulation that fundamentally distorts the core principles of constitutional law and the jurisprudence of the European Court," Tsitlidze declared. According to her, banning a political party is an extreme measure; it should only be an option when there is an immediate, real, and undeniable threat of the constitutional order being overthrown through violence.
In Tsitlidze’s assessment, the plaintiff is attempting to use this mechanism against political opponents, framing criticism of the government as a disregard for the democratic order.
She also criticized the attempt to hold the opposition accountable for "political inaction" and questioned representatives of the ruling team regarding their past reactions to instances of violence.
"Accusing the opposition of 'political inaction' is an authoritarian tactic aimed at suppressing free expression," Tsitlidze noted.
She stated that one of the plaintiff's primary arguments is that, since 2016, political parties have rejected the domestic and foreign political legitimacy of both the government and the ruling party. According to Tsitlidze, framing the criticism of the government, the protest against election results, and the act of boycotting as an encroachment upon the constitutional order runs counter to democratic principles.
"In a multiparty democracy, evaluating electoral processes, safeguarding votes, and refusing to recognize falsified results constitute a fundamental right of the opposition, as well as a duty owed to the citizens of Georgia," she stated.
Tsitlidze asserted that if criticizing the government and questioning the legitimacy of elections were to become grounds for banning a political party, it would signify the end of political pluralism in the country and the establishment of one-party rule.