PM Kobakhidze: banning ‘radical’ parties will open space for new political forces

Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has said that banning what he described as “radical” political parties would create space for what he called a healthier political spectrum ahead of the 2028 elections.

Speaking to journalists, Kobakhidze confirmed that the government has filed a constitutional complaint with the Constitutional Court of Georgia seeking to prohibit certain opposition parties.

“If radical political parties are banned, space will emerge for healthy political forces. This is our objective,” he said, adding that the current political environment is stuck in a cycle between the ruling party and what he described as “radical, anti-state and anti-church opposition”.

He argued that such a cycle must be broken and said it is the government’s responsibility to initiate legal action, while voters ultimately make their own decisions.

Kobakhidze drew a comparison with Nazi Party, saying that despite having broad electoral support, it was unconstitutional in nature and led to severe consequences for Germany. He claimed the comparison was relevant when assessing certain opposition forces in Georgia.

The prime minister alleged that the parties targeted in the complaint had previously been associated with human rights abuses, pressure on businesses and media control, and accused them of engaging in anti-state activities while in opposition.

He said the case concerns four political parties which together received around 30% of the vote in the 2024 elections. However, he argued that electoral support did not justify the existence of a party if it is deemed unconstitutional.

“The key argument is that if a party is unconstitutional in its nature, it should be banned by the Constitutional Court,” Kobakhidze said.