The Ivanishvili regime has completely trampled democratic values in the country by threatening to ban opposition parties through the Constitutional Court. Instead of pursuing EU membership, protecting human rights, and allowing free expression, Georgia is turning into a second Russia, where true opposition members are either imprisoned or killed.

Yesterday, representatives of two coalitions approached the Central Election Commission (CEC) demanding the annulment of their party lists. This procedure is necessary to deprive the CEC of the authority to register them as MPs. The opposition has no other option but to boycott parliament, as the parliamentary elections were rigged, declared representatives of the parties "Unity - National Movement" and "Coalition for Change" in a live broadcast. The former submitted a list of 82 candidates, and the National Movement (ENM) a list of 97 candidates, who refuse to serve in parliament.

"On behalf of 'Unity - National Movement,' we declare that we do not recognize the legitimacy of these elections and renounce our parliamentary mandates. Today, each of us on the parliamentary list has officially sent a letter to the Central Election Commission to ensure that none of our candidates is registered," stated ENM leader Tina Bokuchava.

The leader of "Coalition for Change," Nika Gvaramia, explained that all members of this list will sign refusals as many times as necessary if the CEC, under government pressure and using legal delays, tries to register them in parliament.

"The parliament is illegitimate, and our participation in its work is out of the question. We will not help the authorities legitimize it with our presence," Gvaramia said.

In response, the government threatened the opposition with its own appeal to the Constitutional Court to declare the opposition parties illegitimate. The first to raise this initiative was Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, who is attending the Global Climate Conference in Baku. Today, other ruling party leaders offered their interpretations on the matter.

Although "Georgian Dream" did not achieve a constitutional majority, the party will raise the issue of prosecuting all those who committed treasonous actions against the country, stated General Secretary Kakha Kaladze:

"We do not exclude the possibility of starting with the 'National Movement,' which has committed treasonous actions against the country. This requires evidence, which we have in abundance; the final decision will rest with the Constitutional Court, considering the evidence and facts we have provided."

On behalf of the authorities, "People's Power" representative Guram Macharashvili was more direct, stating that filing a lawsuit with the Constitutional Court to ban parties will depend on the actions of the opposition:

"The Constitutional Court is empowered to ban a political party that makes unconstitutional statements and organizes anti-state actions. Many such political parties have been banned in Europe, and we have examples. Therefore, if they escalate the situation, they will receive a legal act! I assure you, we have more than enough evidence that could be grounds for banning the party."

The Central Election Commission commented on the decision by "Coalition for Change" and "Unity - National Movement."

"Current legislation does not provide for the cancellation of candidate registrations on party lists before the validation of newly elected deputies. This is not accounted for in cases of party requests or individual statements. The Election Code does not provide for any other regulation," a CEC representative stated.

Source: https://www.ekhokavkaza.comSource: https://www.ekhokavkaza.com