Prepared by Messenger Staff
Georgian Dream Revokes Mandates of 49 Opposition MPs
On February 5, the Georgian Dream (GD) Parliament terminated the mandates of 49 opposition MPs from the Coalition for Change, Unity-UNM, and Strong Georgia. These opposition groups had requested the revocation of the mandates following the disputed October 26 elections, which they consider rigged. Opposition leaders warn that this move could trigger further repression by the GD government, while the ruling party defends it as necessary to curb "political sabotage."
The terminated mandates include 19 seats from the Coalition for Change, 16 from Unity-UNM, and 14 from Strong Georgia. GD Parliament also revoked the mandate of Irakli Beraia, who was appointed Deputy Minister of Justice. The decision strips opposition MPs of parliamentary immunity, which previously protected them from arrests or searches without Parliament's consent.
In response, opposition leaders predict escalating government repression. Irakli Kupradze from Strong Georgia accused Bidzina Ivanishvili of taking orders from the Kremlin to neutralize civil resistance figures. Other opposition members, like Khatia Dekanoidze, vowed to resist the GD's pressure, with the aim of pushing for the regime's downfall. Despite the GD's move, Gakharia - For Georgia has refused to recognize Parliament's legitimacy and has not submitted requests for mandate termination.
Opposition Questions Authenticity of New European Socialists Group
Following the Georgian Dream's (GD) decision to revoke the mandates of 49 opposition MPs, three GD lawmakers: Ilia Injia, Varlam Liparteliani, and Nika Elisashvili, announced they were leaving GD to form a new opposition group called the European Socialists. The trio held a briefing where they expressed their intent to challenge the influence of the United National Movement (UNM) and contribute to the creation of a "healthy opposition" in Georgia. Injia claimed that "without a healthy opposition, a healthy democratic system can never be established," and voiced confidence that their efforts would significantly impact the country's political development.
However, the formation of the European Socialists has been met with skepticism from opposition groups. Many believe the move is merely a staged attempt to further the GD's interests rather than a genuine effort to build an alternative opposition force. Critics point out that a similar situation occurred earlier when the People's Power group, also leaving the GD, claimed to have the goal of fostering a "healthy opposition." People's Power has since been associated with the introduction of controversial laws like the Foreign Agents' law and has been vocal in its populist-conservative stance, which often targets Western influence.
