Georgian Foreign Ministry Accuses EU Representatives of Interference After Criticism of Party Ban Proceedings

Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused EU representatives of interference in internal affairs and an attempt to pressure the court after the European Commission spokesperson criticised the ruling Georgian Dream party’s constitutional lawsuit seeking to ban five major opposition parties.

The ministry said in its October 20 statement that it “expresses concern regarding the latest statements by EU representatives concerning the proceedings before the Constitutional Court of Georgia,” without explicitly mentioning the nature of the proceedings it was referring to.

It “considers that assessments questioning the legitimacy of the proceedings before the Court has examined the case and prejudging the judicial process represent an attempt to exert undue pressure on a constitutional institution and constitute interference in Georgia’s internal affairs, whereas respect for the rule of law requires allowing the Court to examine the case independently, in accordance with the Constitution and applicable legislation,” the ministry added.

The ministry also criticized what it described as “recurring rhetoric and declarations” by EU representatives concerning Georgia’s domestic political and legal developments, arguing that such statements “undermine an objective assessment of ongoing processes and hinder constructive engagement between Georgia and the European Union.”

“The Ministry calls on all relevant representatives to refrain from statements and actions that could prejudge ongoing judicial proceedings or be perceived as interference in the work of independent constitutional institutions, and to uphold the principles of the rule of law, judicial independence and mutual respect,” the statement concluded.

• Backgrounder: Constitutional Court Starts Hearing Opposition Party Ban Case

The statement came a day after European Commission spokesperson Christian Wigand told Georgian journalist Tamara Nutsubidze during an October 19 midday briefing in Brussels that the EU was “closely following” the constitutional lawsuit.

“These developments, alongside recent legal amendments and earlier statements about banning opposition parties, suggest a troubling instrumentalisation of the justice system,” Wigand said. “This risks undermining fundamental freedoms, democratic pluralism and fair political competition.”

Earlier, the European Parliament also criticized the proceedings in an October 8 resolution, where the MEPs called for the immediate withdrawal of Georgian Dream’s lawsuit. The resolution described the proceedings as an attempt to “eliminate legitimate political opposition” and part of a broader strategy aimed at “turning Georgia into a one-party regime by eliminating political pluralism.”

Georgian Dream initially filed the constitutional lawsuit in October 2025, seeking to outlaw the United National Movement (UNM), Lelo/Strong Georgia and Ahali/Coalition for Change. The lawsuit was later expanded in April 2026 to include the Federalists, and again in September to add For Georgia, the only opposition party still represented in Parliament, leading the GD to resubmit the claim each time and thus reset the court’s maximum 9-month deadline to rule on the case.

The latest exchange between Georgian authorities and EU representatives comes ahead of Constitutional Court hearings on the lawsuit, scheduled for October 21-23.

Also Read:

• 13/10/2026 – Denied Recusal, Judge Manana Kobakhidze Quits Constitutional Court
• 23/07/2026 – ‘Sabotage’ Case Hearings Adjourned Until Fall Amid Verdict Concerns
• 04/03/2026 – GD Adopts Package Restricting Grants, Political Activity, Lobbying, Government Non-Recognition
• 17/10/2025 – Judge Quits Constitutional Court Amid Looming Appeal to Ban Parties, Individuals from Politics

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