Legal reforms, election oversight take centre stage in PACE-Georgia meetings

Co-rapporteurs of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) monitoring committee, Edite Estrela and Sabina Ćudić, are conducting consultations in Georgia, having met with representatives of both opposition parties and the ruling Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia.

On January 29, 2025, PACE voted to recognize the credentials of the Georgian delegation, attaching a conditional clause that could lead to suspension if Georgian authorities failed to meet specific requirements, including the holding of early parliamentary elections. In response, the Georgian delegation withdrew from the Assembly and recalled its members, Caliber.Az reports, citing Georgian media.

The primary focus of the co-rapporteurs’ meetings was Georgia’s ongoing cooperation with PACE. They met with Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, and the head of the Foreign Relations Committee, Nikoloz Samkharadze, to discuss the political and legislative landscape.

According to Speaker Papuashvili, recent local elections were conducted under conditions comparable to parliamentary polls, and two opposition parties ended their boycott to participate. He reaffirmed Georgia’s commitment to the Council of Europe and PACE, emphasizing the importance of respecting the principles of sovereignty, democracy, the rule of law, and human rights.

The discussions also covered recent legislative developments. Papuashvili provided detailed explanations of amendments passed by the Parliament, highlighting their intent and scope.

Nikoloz Samkharadze noted that key points of concern included the Law on Transparency and stricter sanctions for violations during protests. He emphasized that the legislation currently under scrutiny is being reviewed by Georgia’s Constitutional Court and the European Court of Human Rights, urging all stakeholders to await judicial rulings rather than making premature political assessments.

The co-rapporteurs also examined a case brought before the Constitutional Court regarding the alleged unconstitutionality of three opposition parties.

Earlier, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze stated that while PACE does not play a decisive role in Georgia’s domestic politics, the country remains a committed member of the Council of Europe and is ready to engage constructively with the Assembly.

By Vafa Guliyeva