'Local democracy in Georgia under threat' – Council of Europe Congress resolution

The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe has adopted a sharply critical resolution on Georgia, backed by 97 members, with 12 voting against.

The resolution says the Congress is “seriously concerned” about the state of local democracy in Georgia, a country long regarded as an important member of the Council of Europe.

According to the statement, the Congress found that local democracy is under threat amid rapid democratic backsliding, one-party dominance in local authorities, and the failure to implement previous recommendations aimed at restoring democratic standards.

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The assessment stresses that the challenges facing the democratic system are no longer isolated incidents, but systemic in nature, affecting both institutional structures and the broader political environment.

According to the Congress, Georgia is showing signs of rapid democratic backsliding. The document points to high political polarisation, one-party control over local authorities, and the failure to implement recommendations issued by international partners over many years.

Much of the criticism relates to the municipal elections of 4 October 2025, which the Congress says were marked by a lack of political dialogue and competition. A fact-finding report highlights widespread boycotts, frequent and problematic changes to electoral legislation, and insufficient representation of women.

Particular concern is raised over alleged pressure on opposition leaders and candidates, including bans, intimidation and reported arrests.

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The resolution also states that groups holding views different from those of the authorities — particularly young people, civil society and the media — are increasingly subject to legal and administrative pressure. According to the Congress, this trend restricts fundamental freedoms and narrows the diversity of the public space.

One of the most alarming points highlighted is that the 2025 elections were held without the participation of reputable international and domestic observation missions — including the Congress itself. At the same time, the rights of those observers who were present were significantly restricted, further reducing the transparency of the process.

The resolution notes that the authorities failed to ensure political dialogue and restore trust in the electoral process. As a result, elections in half of the country’s municipalities effectively became one-party contests, while in others there were allegations of pressure on opposition candidates. Attempts to ban opposition parties and legal cases brought against their representatives have, according to the Congress, further reduced political pluralism.

Taken together, these factors meant that the conditions necessary for free, fair and inclusive elections were not met. The Congress believes that current developments are moving Georgia further away from its European commitments, particularly those under the European Charter of Local Self-Government.

In the resolution, members of the Congress call on the Georgian authorities to urgently resume political dialogue at all levels through an inclusive process involving all stakeholders, aimed at reducing polarisation.

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The Congress called on the ruling Georgian Dream party to:

• End the criminalisation of opposition voices and repeal amendments that make it easier to ban opposition parties;
• Implement the Congress’s recommendations and the opinions of the Venice Commission;
• Restore genuine local democracy in line with the European Charter of Local Self-Government;
• Repeal amendments to the Electoral Code that contradict European democratic standards and restrict election monitoring, as well as any legislation that violates human rights.

Despite its strong criticism, the Congress said it remains ready to continue cooperation with the Georgian authorities, including through a monitoring mission aimed at assessing compliance with the European Charter of Local Self-Government.

Council of Europe Congress resolution on Georgia