**Georgian Parliament Moves to Tighten Noose on Opposition Parties**
The Georgian Dream faction’s legislative package aimed at banning political parties has received a major boost after the Legal Issues Committee approved it in its second reading. The proposed amendments to the Law on Political Unions of Citizens and the Law on the Constitutional Court are now set to be debated by the full parliament.
At the heart of these changes is a new provision that would allow the Constitutional Court to ban a party if it has a similar declared purpose, essence of activity, and personnel composition as one already banned by the court. This means that any opposition party deemed a “clone” of a previously banned party could be shut down without much fuss.
The amendments also introduce tighter deadlines for the Constitutional Court to make decisions on the constitutionality of a party’s activities. In normal circumstances, such a decision would have to be made within 9 months of a lawsuit being filed, but during election periods, this deadline would be reduced to just 14 days.
This move by the Georgian Dream faction is seen as an attempt to further restrict the ability of opposition parties to operate in the country. By making it easier for the Constitutional Court to ban parties and imposing tight deadlines on decision-making, the government seems to be stacking the deck against any potential challengers.
**What does this mean for Georgia’s opposition?**
The implications of these changes are far-reaching and worrying for those who oppose the Georgian Dream faction. With tighter restrictions on party activities and a more expedited process for banning parties, it becomes much harder for opposition groups to mobilize and participate in politics.
This move also raises concerns about the erosion of democratic norms and the suppression of dissenting voices. By making it increasingly difficult for opposition parties to operate, the government is essentially creating a one-party state – a situation that would be detrimental to the country’s democracy.
**A worrying trend**
The approval of this legislative package by the Legal Issues Committee marks a worrying trend in Georgia’s political landscape. The increasing attempts by the Georgian Dream faction to restrict civil liberties and stifle opposition are concerning, to say the least.
It remains to be seen how these changes will play out in practice, but one thing is certain: the opposition parties will need to find creative ways to navigate this new reality if they hope to remain relevant in Georgian politics.
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