Georgian authorities have filed a lawsuit seeking a de facto ban on opposition parties

The ruling Georgian Dream party has filed a lawsuit with the Constitutional Court demanding that three political parties, including the United National Movement, founded by former President Mikheil Saakashvili, be declared unconstitutional. Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili stated that the basis for the lawsuit is the report of the parliamentary investigative commission examining "crimes committed during Saakashvili's rule."

"We believe that the United National Movement, the citizens' political associations 'Coalition for Change - Gvaramia, Melia, Girchi, Droa,' and 'Strong Georgia - Lelo for the People, for Freedom,' should be declared unconstitutional," Papuashvili said.

If the lawsuit is upheld, members of these parties will be prohibited from participating in political activity, in accordance with previously adopted legislation. The Georgian Parliament also passed a law allowing the banning of parties that echo the ideology of previously banned organizations.

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