The Georgian Parliament has unanimously approved, with 80 votes, a legislative package in its first reading that will bar specific individuals from engaging in political party activities, holding public office, or participating in elections, Georgia Today reports. The bill, initiated by the ruling Georgian Dream party, was adopted under an expedited procedure following its review by the Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee.
According to the proposed amendments, if the Constitutional Court rules to ban a political party, its members and associated individuals will lose their passive electoral rights — meaning they will be prohibited from being elected to Parliament or municipal bodies. In addition, they will be barred from holding leadership positions in constitutional bodies, joining or funding other political parties, and acting as party donors.
Parties that include such individuals in their ranks will face criminal penalties, including fines. The Georgian Dream initiative includes amendments to the Organic Law on the Constitutional Court of Georgia, the Organic Law on Political Associations of Citizens, the Election Code, and the Criminal Code.
The final adoption of the legislative package, in its second and third readings, is expected within the current week.
