Georgia seeks closure of 3 opposition parties over ‘radical’ activities

TBILISI, Georgia

The Georgian government has asked the Constitutional Court to ban three opposition parties -- the United National Movement, Coalition for Change and Strong Georgia-Lelo – after accusing them of radical and unconstitutional activities.

Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili said Thursday in the capital Tbilisi that the ruling Georgian Dream party had submitted the request, adding the court could issue a ruling by July 2026.

“The law stipulates that the Constitutional Court must issue a decision on this issue no later than nine months,” he said.

The United National Movement, founded by imprisoned former President Mikheil Saakashvili, along with the other two parties condemned the move, calling it an attempt at “political pressure” on the opposition.

The Georgian Dream party has faced growing criticism from opposition groups and Western partners over what they describe as democratic backsliding and restrictions on political freedoms.