The Vice Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, Tea Tsulukiani, announced that the Georgian delegation is suspending its participation in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), citing “unfair and groundless” conditions attached to the recognition of its mandate.
Speaking at a briefing in Strasbourg, Tsulukiani stated that despite the delegation’s mandate being confirmed, several conditions included in the decision were unacceptable, as they undermine Georgia’s sovereignty and disregard the will of its voters.
“For several days, debates have been held in PACE regarding the recognition of our parliamentary delegation’s mandate. Many, particularly members of the opposition and certain NGOs with anti-state agendas, fought against it. Their efforts failed—first in committee hearings and later in the plenary session, where only 43 out of 306 members supported rejecting our mandate. Ultimately, our delegation’s mandate was confirmed in the final vote,” Tsulukiani said.
However, she emphasized that the conditions attached to the recognition, particularly the first one, overstep the Assembly’s authority and challenge Georgia’s sovereignty. “Accepting such terms would be a betrayal of our electorate and the overwhelming majority of our society,” she added.
As a result, the ruling Georgian Dream party decided to withdraw from PACE, arguing that as long as the Georgian government faces “unjustified and baseless blackmail,” participation in the Assembly has no meaning or legitimacy.
“Georgia remains a member of the Council of Europe. However, our parliamentary delegation will resume participation in the Assembly only when the unfair approach toward our country and people changes, when the blackmail ends, and when decision-makers—both official and unofficial—understand that such pressure will not force Georgia or its democratically elected government into taking anti-national steps,” Tsulukiani concluded.
She also expressed gratitude to supporters, stating, “Even from Tbilisi, we felt your support every step of the way.”
On January 29 PACE adopted a resolution on Georgia, calling for new parliamentary elections and the release of political prisoners. The resolution passed with 114 votes in favor and 13 against.
According to the committee’s conclusions, the Council of Europe will only recognize the Georgian delegation if snap parliamentary elections are scheduled by April and all political prisoners are released.
