Georgia opposition calls for sanctions on ruling party

Georgia's ambitions to join the European Union face significant setbacks as Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced plans to outlaw several political parties following the upcoming nationwide elections. This move has raised alarms among analysts and opposition leaders, who warn it could mark the end of democracy in the country. The ruling Georgian Dream party has already threatened to dissolve the United National Movement (UNM), the largest opposition faction, which was founded by former President Mikheil Saakashvili. Kobakhidze justified the proposed ban by labeling opposition members as "criminal" and drawing parallels to authoritarian regimes in Belarus and North Korea. He dismissed concerns about a potential dictatorship, citing Ukraine and Moldova's recent bans on pro-Moscow parties while maintaining multi-party systems. However, opposition leaders, including UNM chair Tina Bokuchava, argue that these actions reflect a shift towards authoritarianism and a distancing from Western allies. Bokuchava emphasized that the government's actions represent an attempt to align Georgia with authoritarian regimes like Russia and China, warning that the country is at a crossroads between a democratic future and a repressive government. The Georgian Dream party, led by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, has accused the UNM of colluding with Western nations against national interests amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The EU has already frozen Georgia's application for membership following the government's controversial law branding Western-backed NGOs as "foreign agents." This has led to widespread protests and a crackdown on dissent, further straining relations with the West and jeopardizing vital foreign aid for the country's economy.