Georgian Parliament backs bill banning political parties in first reading

Georgia’s Parliament on Tuesday approved in the first reading a controversial legislative package that would expand the government’s ability to ban political parties.

The draft amendments, submitted by the ruling Georgian Dream faction, passed unanimously with 83 votes in favour as opposition parties boycott the state legislature due to alleged fraud in last year’s general elections.

The proposed changes target the Law on Political Unions of Citizens and the Law on the Constitutional Court, introducing stricter conditions and expedited timelines for determining the legality of party activities.
Under the bill, the Constitutional Court would be granted new authority to outlaw a political party if its aims, operations – or even personnel – mirror those of a previously banned organisation. The amendments also propose significant procedural changes, including shorter timeframes for the Court to rule on the constitutionality of a party’s activities or on terminating the mandate of a Member of Parliament elected from that party.

Specifically, the court would be required to issue a decision within nine months of a case being filed. During an election period, the timeline would be drastically shortened to 14 days. Tornike Cheishvili, a Georgian Dream MP who presented the bill, said during the plenary session that this nine-month window could be further reduced following additional consultations before the second reading.

Currently, a political party in Georgia may only be banned by a decision of the Constitutional Court. Grounds for prohibition include attempts to overthrow the constitutional order, undermine the country’s independence or territorial integrity, incite violence or social division, or engage in militarised activities.

Should a party be dissolved – either by court ruling, reorganisation, or voluntary liquidation – its remaining assets are to be transferred to the state treasury.

The legislative package has already drawn attention from opposition parties and civil society groups, who warn that the amendments could be used to target dissent and stifle political pluralism.