The Georgian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has faced a formal challenge to their credentials on substantive grounds during the opening of the 2025 winter plenary session.

Grounds for Challenge

The challenge, raised by Boriana Åberg (EPP, Sweden), cited:

            1.         Serious Violation of Council of Europe Principles

            2.         Failure to Honor Obligations and Commitments

            3.         Lack of Cooperation in PACE’s Monitoring Procedure

Åberg accused the Georgian Dream (GD) government of undermining democratic principles, claiming, “The Georgian parliament is a one-party parliament with only Georgian Dream in it. Ivanishvili’s regime is demolishing democratic order in Georgia.”

According to PACE’s Rules of Procedure, the challenge was supported by at least 30 members from five different national delegations, meeting the threshold for consideration.

            •           The challenge was referred to PACE’s Monitoring Committee for a report and to the Rules Committee for an opinion.

            •           The Assembly will debate and vote on the matter on Wednesday, 29 January 2025.

PACE will decide on one of three outcomes:

            1.         Ratify the Credentials: Fully accepting the Georgian delegation.

            2.         Not Ratify the Credentials: Rejecting the delegation entirely.

            3.         Ratify with Restrictions: Allowing the delegation to participate but suspending some of their rights in Assembly activities.

While the credentials are under review, the Georgian delegation members—GD MPs Tea Tsulukiani, Mariam Lashkhi, and Givi Mikanadze, alongside People’s Power MP Eka Sepashvili—retain provisional participation rights but are barred from voting on matters related to their credentials.

This challenge reflects heightened scrutiny of Georgia's democratic processes and governance under the Georgian Dream as concerns about political pluralism and adherence to European democratic standards grow. The outcome of this debate could impact Georgia's standing within the Council of Europe and its broader relations with European institutions.