Venice Commission Says Georgia's New Laws Restrict Democratic Freedoms
By Messenger Staff
Wednesday, October 14, 2026
The Venice Commission, the Council of Europe's advisory body on constitutional law, has criticized Georgia's March 4, 2026, legislative amendments, warning that restrictions on foreign funding and political activities disproportionately limit fundamental rights and threaten political pluralism.
In its 24-page opinion, prepared at the request of the chairperson of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe's Monitoring Committee, the Commission said the amendments fail to protect Georgia's sovereignty from foreign influence and instead restrict freedom of association and expression, making it harder for political opposition to form and survive.
The package amends the Law on Grants, the Law on Political Associations, the Criminal Code and the Code of Administrative Offences. It expands restrictions on foreign funding, criminalizes so-called external lobbying and introduces penalties for certain business activities and actions aimed at undermining perceptions of the government's legitimacy.
The Commission said the changes failed to address concerns raised in its 2025 opinion about threats to the rule of law, civic space and democratic freedoms. Instead, they expand government oversight and criminal sanctions, creating a risk that individuals and organizations will avoid lawful activities for fear of investigation or prosecution.
The Commission urged authorities to reconsider criminal sanctions for violations of the Law on Grants, activities involving broadly defined "political matters concerning Georgia" and transactions deemed attempts to circumvent grant regulations. It recommended administrative measures with strong procedural safeguards instead.
It also criticized vague terms such as "grant," "organisation representing the interests of a foreign power," "person with a declared party-political aim," "establishing a perception of illegitimacy" and "harming the interests of the state," warning that they create legal uncertainty and give authorities excessive discretion.
The opinion called for clearer legal definitions and a more inclusive legislative process. It also expressed regret that Georgian authorities had declined to engage with the Commission during the preparation of the report.
The amendments broaden the definition of a "grant" requiring government approval to include technical assistance, free assistance and funding transferred from foreign organizations to local branches.
Changes to the Law on Political Associations introduce eight-year bans on party membership for people who have worked in foreign-funded organizations and expand restrictions through the concept of a "declared party-political goal." Party leaders may also face criminal penalties for receiving foreign funding.
The package introduces prison sentences of up to six years for so-called external lobbying and penalties for businesses engaging in political activity unrelated to their main commercial activities. Another provision establishes up to three years in prison for "systematic acts" aimed at promoting nonrecognition of the government's legitimacy.
The Commission concluded that the cumulative effect of the March amendments and earlier legislative changes threatens political opposition and contradicts international standards on democracy and pluralism, rather than protecting Georgia's sovereignty from foreign interference.
