The Venice Commission has sharply criticized Georgia’s March 2026 legislative amendments on grants, political parties and criminal liability, saying they impose disproportionate restrictions on fundamental rights and undermine political pluralism.
In a newly published opinion, the Council of Europe’s constitutional law advisory body said the legislation does not serve its stated purpose of protecting Georgia’s sovereignty and political parties from foreign influence and external interference. Instead, it unnecessarily restricts freedom of association and expression and obstructs the formation and continued existence of political opposition.
The opinion examines amendments adopted by Georgia’s parliament on March 4, 2026, to the Law on Grants, the Organic Law on Political Associations of Citizens, the Criminal Code and related legislation. The assessment was requested by Elvira Kovács, chair of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe’s Monitoring Committee.
The commission said the amendments significantly expand an already restrictive framework governing civil society, political participation and foreign funding. Rather than addressing concerns raised in earlier opinions, they strengthen government control, broaden restrictions and reinforce enforcement through extensive monitoring powers and criminal penalties.
https://georgiatoday.ge/venice-commission-says-georgian-laws-threaten-political-freedoms
