Anders Knape (Sweden, EPP/CCE) and Urs Janett (Switzerland, ILDG), Co-rapporteurs of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, have released a statement on the situation of democracy in Georgia.

According to them, the Constitutional Court of Georgia’s examination of a request by members of the ruling party to ban five major opposition parties is deeply alarming

“Such a ban could constitute a dangerous escalation and distance Georgia from its commitments under the European Charter of Local Self-Government and its Additional Protocol.

“Democracy at all levels of government cannot exist without political pluralism and effective checks on the concentration of powers. As we have already warned this year, the continued dismantlement of the foundations of Georgian democracy is a matter of grave concern. If the parties were banned, thousands of citizens could be prevented from participating in local democracy because of their political affiliation, as the Venice Commission recently alerted. Pluralism would de facto no longer exist in Georgian municipalities.

“We remain committed to supporting Georgia in fulfilling its obligations as a member State of the Council of Europe in safeguarding democracy, human rights and the rule of law at local level. We will follow the proceedings closely, as well as their implications for local democracy, to ensure that all Georgian citizens have a voice on matters closest to them.”