Georgian Dream Pushes to Ban 'UNM-Affiliated' Political Groups Before Elections
By Liza Mchedlidze
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
The Georgian Dream party is moving forward with plans to seek a Constitutional Court ruling that would ban political groups it claims are affiliated with the United National Movement (UNM). Majority leader Mamuka Mdinaradze announced that the lawsuit will be filed before the October elections, with all parliamentary procedures wrapped up by September.
"Everything Parliament needs to do will be completed before the elections," Mdinaradze said. "After that, it will be up to the Constitutional Court. If the Court evaluates the case even slightly objectively, I'm confident these parties will be banned this year."
He acknowledged that following his initial announcement, some observers grew optimistic that the process might be delayed. However, he said the extension requested by the relevant commission would only shift the timeline by a couple of months at most.
Parliament has already adopted the legislative amendments in the first reading, with 83 votes in favor. The package, introduced by Georgian Dream, would give the Constitutional Court the authority to ban a political party if its goals, activities, or personnel resemble those of a previously banned party, even if it is not officially the same organization.
The legislation also proposes shorter decision-making timeframes for the Court: nine months under normal conditions and just 14 days during election periods. MP Tornike Cheishvili, who presented the bill, indicated that lawmakers may further reduce these deadlines during the second reading.
Under current Georgian law, a political party can be banned only by the Constitutional Court, and only if it is found to promote violent regime change, undermine national sovereignty, or incite hatred or unrest. Banned parties' remaining assets are transferred to the state.
Mdinaradze also claimed that foreign sponsors may push these opposition groups to participate in the elections, saying, "Since this may be their last election, their foreign patrons will likely encourage them to take part. But I believe both the public and our party will respond appropriately."
