Opposition leaders accuse Georgian Dream of threatening democracy as court expels leader Dekanoidze

The consequences of banning opposition parties would cause irreparable damage to Georgia, Badri Japaridze, one of the leaders of the Strong Georgia coalition, has said, accusing the ruling Georgian Dream party of seeking to deprive more than one million voters of their right to choose.

“Our task now is to protect our country from the consequences threatened by the adventure launched by Georgian Dream,” Japaridze said.

He argued that banning political parties would deprive more than one million Georgian citizens of their electoral choice and force them to vote for a party favoured by the ruling authorities rather than one they support.

“This is a direct violation of the sovereign rights of the Georgian people, and we must not allow it,” he added.

Meanwhile, Khatia Dekanoidze, one of the leaders of the United National Movement (UNM), accused the authorities of pursuing Russia’s interests through the lawsuit seeking to ban five opposition political forces.

Dekanoidze said the court had prevented her from fully presenting her arguments, including requests to question former president Mikheil Saakashvili and recuse judges.

“The main purpose of this so-called lawsuit is to fulfil all of Russia’s demands,” Dekanoidze said.

She alleged that when she mentioned Bidzina Ivanishvili, whom she described as Georgia’s de facto ruler, the presiding judge interrupted her and said she was not permitted to make political statements.

Dekanoidze argued that the proceedings were not genuinely about banning political parties or protecting democracy, but were intended to move Georgia towards closer alignment with Russia, potentially including an agreement and the restoration of diplomatic relations.

She said she had requested that Ivanishvili be questioned but was not allowed to finish her statement.

“If you mention Russia and Ivanishvili, they throw you out of the courtroom,” she said.

The Constitutional Court is hearing a lawsuit seeking to declare five opposition political forces unconstitutional. The case has prompted opposition accusations that the ruling party is using the judiciary to restrict political competition.