Grigol Gegelia: The fact that the issue of banning political parties is being considered in Georgia indicates that Georgia is increasingly following the path of Belarus and Russia; this is a cause for concern for the civilized world, and there will be a strong response to it

According to Grigol Gegelia, a member of Lelo - Strong Georgia, the banning of political parties in Georgia signals to the world that Georgia is following the path of Belarus and Russia.

As he noted, “This is a matter of the utmost concern for the civilized world, and there will be a very strong response to it.”

“Banning political parties is an extreme measure taken by dictators. It is unacceptable and unimaginable even in an electoral autocracy. The fact that such an issue is being considered in Georgia certainly signals to the entire world that Georgia is moving, day by day, increasingly toward the path of Belarus and Russia.

I cannot help but smile when I remember that even under a dictatorship, political parties have not been completely banned. The Georgian Dream regime, which pretends to be a European-style regime, is in reality consolidating a Russian-style, entrenched and rigid dictatorship that is now even banning political parties that received the votes of nearly one million people in the elections.

Of course, this is a matter of the utmost concern for the civilized world, and there will be a very strong response to it,” Grigol Gegelia said.

For reference, the European Parliament will hold a debate on Georgia and vote on a resolution. According to the agenda, the debate titled “The ruling party Georgian Dream’s attempts to ban opposition parties in Georgia” will begin on October 7 at 19:00 local time. Members of the European Parliament will also vote on a resolution on the issue on October 8.