**GD Parliament Approves Controversial Amendments to Constitutional Court Law**
The Legal Issues Committee of the Georgian parliament has approved a draft law that expands the authority of the Constitutional Court to ban political parties. The move has been widely criticized by experts and civil society as a step towards further consolidating an authoritarian system in Georgia.
The amendments, which were announced by parliamentary majority leader Mamuka Mdinaradze earlier this year, aim to ban political forces whose activities, personal composition, or statutory goals are identical to those of the opposition United National Movement (UNM). The law also allows the Constitutional Court to ban parties that engage in activities such as overthrowing the constitutional order, undermining the country’s independence, or inciting national strife.
**Expert Analysis**
The proposed amendments have been met with strong resistance from civil society and experts, who argue that they will further restrict democratic freedoms in Georgia. “This is a clear attempt by the ruling party to consolidate power and silence opposition voices,” said Giorgi Kandelaki, a leading expert on human rights and democracy.
The law also introduces stricter deadlines for the Constitutional Court to issue rulings on constitutional claims concerning political parties. According to the explanatory note attached to the bill, these deadlines are necessary due to the “significant influence” that political parties have on the country’s socio-political landscape.
**Consequences of the Amendments**
If approved, the amendments will essentially mean that members of outlawed parties will not be able to establish a new party in the future. This has raised concerns among opposition leaders and civil society activists, who fear that the law will be used to target their organizations.
The bill also authorizes the Constitutional Court to ban parties whose declared objectives or actual operations substantially replicate the goals or conduct of previously banned parties. This has led some experts to warn that the law could be used to silence dissenting voices and restrict democratic freedoms.
**Conclusion**
The approval of these amendments by the Legal Issues Committee is a concerning development for democracy in Georgia. The move towards further consolidating an authoritarian system will likely have far-reaching consequences for the country’s democratic freedoms and human rights. As civil society activists and experts continue to urge the parliament to reconsider the bill, it remains to be seen whether the Georgian government will prioritize democracy over party interests.
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