Opposition leader: OSCE declaration vote demonstrated Georgian Dream’s confusion, diplomatic weakness

Elene Khoshtaria, a leader of Georgia’s opposition Coalition for Change, has criticized the ruling Georgian Dream party over its conduct at the recent OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, describing its position on key votes as “confused, contradictory, and diplomatically weak.”

At a press briefing Friday, Khoshtaria focused on Georgian Dream’s handling of a resolution that calls on Syria to revoke its recognition of Georgia’s Russian-occupied Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions. 

Khoshtaria said the Georgian delegation had failed to support the final declaration despite its alignment with Georgia’s national interests.

“We are witnessing another treacherous act by the Georgian Dream,” she said. “Amid visible confusion, they voted for the resolution and simultaneously argued against it, ultimately taking a stance that undermined Georgia’s territorial integrity. This shows not only their pro-Russian tendencies but also their inability to act coherently under international pressure.”

Khoshtaria emphasized that the initiative to push for Syria’s withdrawal of recognition came from the pro-Western opposition, particularly following the recent change of regime in Syria. “It was the Coalition for Change that began this diplomatic effort. Georgian Dream not only failed to support it but actively undermined it within the OSCE. This is a clear lustration of their real agenda.”

She also pointed to what she described as a significant moment at the assembly - “growing international consensus that new elections and the release of political prisoners are necessary to resolve Georgia’s political crisis.”

“Our partners from across the world are no longer mincing words - they are openly saying that the way out of the current geopolitical crisis in Georgia is through new elections and freeing political prisoners. This is a major precedent,” Khoshtaria said.

She concluded by urging continued domestic and international pressure on the government. “This regime is being cornered. They will be forced to backtrack, again and again. Our fight from within, combined with strong international support, will bring results.”

Khoshtaria was referring to the Declaration and Resolutions of Porto, adopted at the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly this week, which includes reaffirmation of Georgia’s sovereignty. The document calls on Syria’s government to revoke its recognition of Georgia’s occupied regions and urges international recognition of Georgia’s full territorial integrity. It also includes similar provisions regarding Ukraine, urging the withdrawal of recognition of the so-called “independence” of Donetsk and Luhansk.

In addition, the declaration expresses concern over democratic backsliding in Georgia, referencing shortcomings observed during the October 2024 parliamentary elections, and notes the anti-Western rhetoric and actions of the Georgian Dream government.

Although initial reports suggested that Georgia supported the resolution, later statements from Georgian Dream officials, including Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, confirmed that the ruling party did not endorse the final document.