Georgia Constitutional Court Hears Case to Ban Opposition Parties

The Constitutional Court of Georgia began three days of hearings on October 21 in Batumi to consider a lawsuit filed by the ruling Georgian Dream party. The lawsuit seeks to ban five major opposition groups: the United National Movement, Coalition for Change, Strong Georgia Lelo, the Federalists, and For Georgia.

Georgian Dream alleges these parties intend to overthrow the constitutional order and escalate tensions with Russia. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze described the targeted parties as inherently unconstitutional. The legal effort follows previous threats by Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili to initiate a process to ban the United National Movement and its successor parties.

Opposition leaders and the European Union argue the lawsuit is a politically motivated attempt to eliminate competition and undermine democracy. In response, an alliance of opposition parties announced a monthlong protest campaign called Georgia Without Ivanishvili, scheduled to begin October 25 at Tbilisi State University. The proceedings occur amid strained relations between Georgia and the West after the ruling party halted EU membership talks. A final ruling is expected by June 24, 2027.