Banning Opposition Parties in Georgia Poses a Threat to the Democratic Process – ALDE

According to the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), the ruling party in Georgia, "Georgian Dream," is seeking to ban five opposition parties—including "Lelo," an ALDE member and part of the "Strong Georgia" coalition.

ALDE assesses that if the legal claim is granted, hundreds of thousands of voters will be left without political representation.

The organization reports that liberal political forces active in Georgia have united against this government initiative. On October 25, several Georgian parties—all members of ALDE—participated in a protest campaign in Tbilisi under the banner of the "Opposition Alliance." The campaign’s core message is: "Georgia without Ivanishvili. Georgia deserves better."

"Lelo," which participated in the contentious 2024 parliamentary elections as part of the "Strong Georgia" coalition, is among the five parties that the government is seeking to have banned through the Constitutional Court. According to ALDE, the implementation of this initiative would remove significant political competitors from the political process and further restrict the democratic environment.

The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) strongly condemns the attempt to ban opposition parties and calls for the proceedings to be dropped. The organization also urges the European Union to impose stricter, targeted sanctions against those responsible. The statement notes that the European Parliament also opposes the initiative to ban the parties.

ALDE states that these measures against political opponents are part of a broader process aimed at suppressing dissent within the country. The organization points out that Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has labeled his opponents "liberal fascists," while the government has intensified restrictions on protests, civil society, and independent media.

The statement also draws a parallel between the Georgian government’s approach toward the opposition and Russia’s repressive policies. The opposition alliance’s protest campaign will continue until November 28. This date marks the second anniversary of the suspension—until 2028—of negotiations regarding Georgia’s accession to the European Union. This decision has triggered large-scale protests across the country and raised concerns regarding Georgia’s European future.

According to ALDE, the struggle is not merely about the future of five political parties. It concerns the right of voters to freely elect their representatives, as well as Georgia’s ability to maintain its European path amidst restrictions on democratic freedoms.

ALDE supports Lelo and its liberal partners, declaring that it will not accept a political system in which the banning of opposition parties is possible.

The organization states that the fight for a free, democratic, and European Georgia continues.