The European Union is closely monitoring the lawsuits seeking to ban five major opposition parties, including, naturally, the recent developments in the Constitutional Court of Georgia related to this case. European Commission spokesperson Christian Wigand stated this during a press briefing, responding to a question from Euroscope regarding the scheduled proceedings in the Constitutional Court concerning the ban on opposition parties.
“These developments, alongside recent legislative changes and earlier statements regarding the banning of opposition parties, point to a worrying instrumentalisation of the judicial system. This puts fundamental freedoms, democratic pluralism, and fair political competition at risk. We are therefore following the situation very closely and will continue to track the progress of these lawsuits,” the spokesperson stressed.
In addition, he addressed a question regarding the decision to place journalist Vakho Sanaia under 30 days of detention.
“We are extremely clear and outspoken in our stance regarding the actions of Georgian Dream aimed at suppressing the political opposition, journalists, and activists. Unfortunately, the shrinking of civic space continues. The Georgian authorities must immediately release unjustly detained politicians, journalists, and civil activists, as well as repeal repressive legislation,” the European Commission spokesperson noted.